Oven having an automatic self-cleaning system

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oven cleaning methods require manual activation by users, leading to neglect and increased soiling, which becomes difficult to remove and affects cooking performance, with baked-on soils requiring more time and harsher cleaning processes.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous self-cleaning system that schedules cleaning events based on estimated soiling levels and user inactivity, using machine learning to determine optimal times and executes cleaning automatically, incorporating sensors and smart home integration for efficient cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual cleaning activation is required, then user control over cleaning timing is improved, but cleaning frequency decreases and soiling accumulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser controlVSAvoidcleaning frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The oven system monitors its own interior conditions through sensors and automatically initiates cleaning operations when soiling thresholds are exceeded, eliminating the need for manual user activation. The system serves itself by detecting when cleaning is needed and executing the cleaning cycle autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors interior soiling levels through sensors and uses this feedback to determine when cleaning operations should be initiated. The feedback loop connects the soiling detection system to the cleaning control system, enabling automatic response to changing interior conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If cleaning is delayed, then user convenience is improved, but soiling becomes baked-on and harder to remove

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidsoiling difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs cleaning operations at scheduled intervals or when soiling thresholds are detected, before soils become deeply baked-on and difficult to remove. By acting preliminarily rather than reactively, the system maintains easier cleaning conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical cleaning with automated cleaning mechanisms that can be initiated automatically. The automated system uses sensors, controllers, and cleaning elements to perform the cleaning function without requiring manual user intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If automated cleaning is implemented, then cleaning frequency and consistency are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning frequencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The oven control system performs multiple functions including cooking control, soiling monitoring, cleaning scheduling, and automated cleaning execution. By making the control system universal and multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby limiting complexity growth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the soiling detection system, cleaning control system, and cleaning execution system into an integrated automated cleaning apparatus. By merging these previously separate functions into a unified system, the overall complexity is reduced compared to having independent systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If cleaning events are scheduled during user inactivity, then user convenience is improved, but prediction accuracy requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidinactivity prediction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system notifies the user of scheduled cleaning events and allows user override or cancellation. This partial user involvement provides a safety net in case the inactivity prediction is inaccurate, while still maintaining the convenience of automated scheduling for most cases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive 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

Facilitates regular and convenient oven cleaning without user intervention, reducing soiling accumulation and maintaining cooking performance by automatically detecting soiling and scheduling cleaning during idle periods.

Implementation Method 1

using machine learning to determine optimal times

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMachine learning:

Data Source

PatentUS12386326B2Oven having an automatic self-cleaning system

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 BSH HOME APPLIANCES CORP

AI summary

A method for cleaning an oven may include automatically scheduling a cleaning event to occur during a period of user inactivity, by an electronic controller of an oven, based on an estimated cumulative soiling level and a predicted period of user inactivity. In this context, the cleaning event includes one or more automatic activities configured to clean an interior cavity of the oven. A user is notified of the scheduled cleaning event, by the electronic controller, and the cleaning event is executed automatically. Other smart home components (e.g., ventilation, windows, and/or doors) may be repositioned automatically to facilitate the event.