Precision Sous-Vide Cooker with Power-Loss Safety Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sous-vide cooking methods face challenges in ensuring food safety due to the risk of food poisoning from cooking at lower temperatures, as existing devices lack precise temperature control and easy cleaning features, leading to potential contamination and operational complexities.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic temperature control device with a detachable skirt for easy cleaning, a waterproof submersible pump, adjustable clamp for secure positioning, remote control capabilities, and a wireless thermometer for precise temperature monitoring, along with a user-friendly interface and memory storage for recipes, enhances safety and operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If food is cooked at lower temperatures for sous-vide cooking, then cooking precision and tenderness are improved, but food safety deteriorates due to risk of food poisoning
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a temperature sensor that continuously monitors the water bath temperature and provides feedback to the microprocessor controller. The controller adjusts the heating element and water circulation pump to maintain the temperature within a precise range (55-85°C), ensuring both cooking precision and food safety through closed-loop control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical temperature control methods with an electronic control system comprising a microprocessor, temperature sensor, and automated pump control. This substitution enables precise temperature maintenance without manual intervention, achieving both precision cooking and food safety.
2Reliability
If a sealed housing is used to protect electronics from water, then reliability is improved, but ease of cleaning deteriorates due to inability to access internal components
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a sealed upper portion containing electronics and a detachable lower portion that can be removed for cleaning. This segmentation allows the cleaning section to be accessed while maintaining the sealed protection for electronic components, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower housing section is designed as a detachable component that can be separated from the main sealed housing. This extraction allows users to remove and clean the lower portion without compromising the sealed integrity of the upper portion containing sensitive electronics.
3Manufacturing precision
If a submersible pump is used for water circulation, then temperature control precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to difficulty in cleaning the pump
Solution Approach 1:
The pump housing is integrated with the detachable lower portion of the device. When the lower portion is removed for cleaning, the pump becomes accessible for maintenance. This segmentation allows the pump to remain submersible for precise temperature control while being easily accessible for cleaning.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple features are added to enhance functionality, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device integrates multiple functions into a single unified system: the microprocessor controller manages temperature control, water circulation pump operation, and safety monitoring; the detachable housing provides both protection and cleaning access; the temperature sensor serves both cooking precision and food safety verification. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to separate devices.
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
The device provides precise temperature control, easy maintenance, and enhanced food safety through accurate temperature monitoring and user-friendly operation, ensuring thorough cooking while minimizing the risk of contamination and operational complexities.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element coupled to the temperature controller
Implementation Method 2
a submersible pump
Implementation Method 3
a temperature sensor coupled to the microprocessor controller
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A sous-vide cooker for precision cooking. The sous-vide cooker tracks arrays of time, temperature, and events in the fluidic temperature control device for comparison with safety points and recommended temperature setting. The sous-vide cooker includes a processor, backup battery and temperature sensor so in case of power loss can still determine and compare actual temperature with safety limits and advise users on proper course of action.