Programmable Single-Container Food Preparation for Multi-Gravity Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional food preparation devices require multiple containers and cannot operate in low or zero-gravity environments, necessitating user intervention and lacking substantial automation.
Innovation Solution
A programmable food preparation device with a single container featuring a mixing and heating system, including thermoelectric devices, a mixing blade, and a plunger disc, capable of mixing and thermally regulating ingredients within a single chamber, and equipped with a data processing system for automated operation, allowing for operation in various gravitational conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate chambers are used for mixing and heating ingredients, then the mixing and heating functions can be performed, but the device complexity increases and multiple containers are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mixing chamber and heating chamber into a single integrated container. The mixing blade and heat transfer devices share the same container space, eliminating the need for separate mixing and heating vessels. This merging reduces the number of containers from multiple to one, directly resolving the contradiction between functional capability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single container is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the mixing chamber for combining ingredients and the heating chamber for thermal processing. The container universally handles both mechanical mixing and thermal treatment operations, eliminating the need for specialized separate chambers for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional mixing devices are used, then mixing can be performed on Earth, but the devices cannot operate in low or zero-gravity environments
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing blade is designed to move between different positions within the container, including contact with the bottom surface. This dynamic positioning capability allows the mixing mechanism to adapt to different gravitational conditions by adjusting how it engages with the ingredient mass, enabling reliable operation from terrestrial to space environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system can adjust mixing parameters such as blade speed, movement pattern, and contact pressure to accommodate different gravitational environments. The heat transfer devices similarly adapt their operation to ensure proper thermal processing regardless of gravitational forces, maintaining reliability across varying gravitational conditions.
3Device complexity
If manual user intervention is required for food preparation, then simple device structure can be maintained, but productivity and automation level decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a data processing system that automatically controls the mixing and heating operations based on pre-programmed recipes. The device serves itself by autonomously managing the food preparation process, eliminating the need for constant manual intervention while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure through automated control logic.
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 efficient, automated food preparation in both terrestrial and extraterrestrial contexts, reducing resource usage and eliminating the need for multiple containers, while allowing for reliable food dispensing regardless of gravitational forces.
Implementation Method 1
a mixing blade configured to move between the first plate and the second plate while mixing the at least one food ingredient
Implementation Method 2
a heat transfer device coupled to the container. The heat transfer device is configured to exchange thermal energy with the internal volume of the container
Implementation Method 3
the heat transfer device may include a plurality of thermoelectric devices coupled to an external surface of the container
Implementation Method 4
the heat transfer device may further include a plurality of passive cooling devices coupled to the plurality of thermoelectric devices
Implementation Method 5
at least one magnet may be included in a mixing blade of the mixing device. The telemetry device may include a plurality of coils of wire, where each coil of wire of the plurality of coils of wire is configured to transmit a signal in response to detecting a magnetic field generated by the at least one magnet
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for preparing food. In some embodiments, a food preparation device (100, 200, 400, 500, 600) may include a container (102, 202, 402, 512, 602) that includes a cavity that may define an internal volume of the container. The food preparation device may also include a first plate (104, 204, 404) coupled to a first end of the container. The first plate may include at least one hole (105, 205, 405) configured to receive the at least one food ingredient. Also included may be a second plate (106) coupled to a second end of the container and a mixing device (300, 301, 608) coupled to the first plate. The mixing device may be configured to mix at least a portion of the internal volume of the container. The food preparation device may also include a heat transfer device (110, 210) coupled to the container. The heat transfer device may be configured to exchange thermal energy with the internal volume of the container.