Passive NFC Temperature Sensor for Battery-Free Cooking Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking systems with temperature measuring devices require batteries or power connections for temperature measurement and transmission, which can be inconvenient and add complexity.

Innovation Solution

A temperature measuring device with a passive communication unit that uses an electromagnetic field generated by an active communication unit in the cooking apparatus for wireless communication, eliminating the need for batteries or power connections, and employing NFC technology for efficient data transfer, with magnetic positioning means to ensure alignment of communication units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a temperature measuring device uses batteries or power connections for temperature measurement and transmission, then the device can perform continuous temperature monitoring and data transmission, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to battery replacement and charging requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous temperature monitoringVSAvoidpower source requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The passive communication unit in the temperature measuring device harvests electromagnetic energy from the active communication unit in the cooking apparatus to power its own operation. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external batteries or power connections, allowing the device to perform continuous temperature monitoring without requiring user intervention for power management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The electromagnetic field generated by the active communication unit serves as an intermediary energy carrier, transferring power from the cooking apparatus to the temperature measuring device wirelessly. This intermediary mechanism enables energy transfer without direct electrical connection, resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If wireless communication technology is used for temperature transmission, then the ease of operation improves by eliminating physical connections, but the reliability of communication may worsen without proper alignment and positioning mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless communicationVSAvoidcommunication stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical alignment systems with magnetic positioning. Magnets embedded in both the active and passive communication units create magnetic attraction forces that automatically align the units when brought close together, ensuring reliable electromagnetic coupling and communication without requiring precise manual positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic positioning system provides automatic feedback alignment - when the passive communication unit approaches the active unit, the magnetic attraction naturally guides them into optimal alignment position, maintaining reliable communication throughout the interaction process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables battery-free and power-free temperature measurement and transmission, simplifying the cooking system while maintaining accurate temperature control and communication, and allowing for easy integration into various cooking apparatuses.

Implementation Method 1

the active communication unit generating an electromagnetic field for feeding said passive communication unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The positioning means comprise at least one magnet, the cooking apparatus comprising means attracting said magnet, such that the passive communication unit is aligned with the active communication unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3479650B1Temperature measuring device, cooking apparatus and cooking system
Publication Date: 2020.01.29 COPRECI S COOP
  • EP3479650B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3479650B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3479650B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention refers to a temperature measuring device (2), a cooking apparatus (3) and a cooking system (1) comprising said measuring device (2) and said cooking apparatus (3). The cooking system (1) comprises wireless transmission 5 means for transmitting the temperature measured by the measuring device (2) to the cooking apparatus (3). The transmission means comprise an active communication unit arranged in the cooking apparatus (3) and a passive communication unit arranged in the measuring device (2), both communication units being configured for communicating with one another, the active communication unit generating an 10 electromagnetic field for feeding the passive communication unit, such that as a result of said electromagnetic field the measuring device (2) can measure the cooking temperature and transmit it to the cooking apparatus (3).