System and method for targeted heating element control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional appliances require manual control and lack efficient use of heating elements, leading to increased power consumption and longer cooking times, as they typically heat the entire cavity uniformly, unable to accommodate different food types and temperatures simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The system employs individually controllable heating elements and a camera-based method to determine occupied regions and food types within the appliance, allowing for targeted heating based on food placement and type, optimizing energy use and cooking time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the entire cavity is heated uniformly, then all areas reach the required temperature, but power consumption increases and cooking time extends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by dividing the cavity into multiple heating zones with independently controllable heating elements. Each zone can be heated to different temperatures based on the specific cooking requirements and food placement, rather than uniformly heating the entire cavity. This selective heating approach reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining necessary temperature levels in occupied regions.
2Temperature
If the entire cavity is heated uniformly, then consistent cooking is achieved, but cooking time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by using sensors and image processing to detect food placement and pre-determine which heating zones require activation before cooking begins. This advance preparation allows the system to immediately apply heat only to the necessary zones, eliminating the time delay associated with heating empty or unnecessary areas of the cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
By implementing locally controlled heating zones with independent temperature regulation, the system can simultaneously maintain temperature consistency within each occupied zone while avoiding the time penalty of heating the entire cavity uniformly. Each zone reaches its target temperature independently and simultaneously, reducing overall cooking time.
3Ease of operation
If manual control is used, then simple device operation is maintained, but appliance efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the appliance to automatically detect food placement through sensors and image processing, identify occupied zones, and independently control heating elements without user intervention. The system autonomously optimizes heating patterns based on real-time cavity occupancy detection, eliminating the need for manual zone selection while maximizing cooking efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where sensors continuously monitor cavity occupancy and heating element performance, and the control system adjusts heating patterns in real-time based on this feedback. This closed-loop control enables the appliance to automatically adapt to different cooking scenarios, maintaining high efficiency without requiring complex manual programming or user expertise.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple food types are cooked simultaneously, then versatility increases, but temperature control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the cavity into multiple independently controllable heating zones, each capable of operating at different temperatures simultaneously. This spatial segmentation allows different food types with varying temperature requirements to be cooked at the same time in different zones, with each zone's temperature independently regulated to match the specific cooking requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
By providing local temperature control in each heating zone, the system enables simultaneous cooking of multiple food types at their respective optimal temperatures without requiring complex centralized control. Each zone maintains its own temperature profile, simplifying the control architecture while achieving high versatility for multi-food cooking scenarios.
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 approach reduces power consumption, shortens cooking times, and enables simultaneous cooking of multiple food types at different temperatures and doneness levels by directing radiant heat precisely to the food's location, enhancing appliance efficiency and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
directing radiant heat to cook food based on the location of the food in the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A method for targeted heating element control can include: sampling measurements, determining one or more occupied regions based on the measurements, determining one or more food types, controlling appliance operation based on the occupied regions and food types, optionally providing real-time feedback to the user for food placement within the cavity, optionally sampling training measurements, optionally determining a cavity occupancy region classifier, and/or any other suitable elements.