Sensor and control systems for food preparation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional temperature feedback systems require direct contact with food or cooking surfaces, which can lead to damage and inadequate contact, affecting cooking performance and food quality.
Innovation Solution
A contactless temperature-regulating unit utilizing a resonant tank and inductive heating coil to sense and control pan temperature without direct contact, adapting thermal elements based on pan material and temperature settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If contact-type temperature sensing mechanisms are used, then temperature feedback can be obtained, but the sensing mechanisms may not make sufficient contact with the pan and can be easily damaged during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-type temperature sensors with a contactless inductive sensing system. The sensing coil generates an electromagnetic field that interacts with the pan to detect temperature changes, eliminating the need for physical contact between the sensor and pan surface. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement precision through electromagnetic sensing while improving reliability by removing the mechanical contact that causes damage and insufficient contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary between the temperature sensing system and the pan. The sensing coil detects temperature changes through changes in the electromagnetic field's resonant frequency caused by the pan's thermal properties, rather than requiring direct contact. This intermediary approach enables accurate temperature measurement while avoiding the mechanical contact issues.
2Loss of information
If contact-type sensing mechanisms are used, then temperature feedback is provided, but direct contact with the pan can cause damage to the pan surface and sensing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact sensing with electromagnetic induction sensing. The sensing coil detects pan temperature through electromagnetic field interactions without touching the pan surface, thereby eliminating the harmful mechanical contact that causes damage to both the pan surface and sensing mechanisms while maintaining temperature feedback capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pan itself serves as part of the sensing system by interacting with the electromagnetic field. The pan's material properties and temperature directly affect the resonant frequency of the sensing coil, allowing the system to use the pan's own characteristics for temperature detection without requiring external contact sensors that could cause damage.
3Measurement precision
If traditional temperature sensing is used, then temperature measurement is possible, but the system lacks adaptability to different pan materials and conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses changes in the resonant frequency parameter of the sensing coil to adapt to different pan materials and conditions. By monitoring how the resonant frequency shifts in response to different pan materials, temperatures, and configurations, the system can automatically adjust and maintain accurate temperature measurements across various cooking scenarios without requiring manual calibration or material-specific sensors.
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 accurate temperature control and prevention of surface damage, improving cooking efficiency and food quality by detecting pan presence, material, and temperature without physical contact.
Implementation Method 1
The resonant tank has a resonant frequency that is affected by a material of the pan and a temperature of the pan
Implementation Method 2
The resonant tank includes a coil and a capacitor
Implementation Method 3
The resonant tank includes an inductive heating coil and a capacitor. The inductive heating coil is positioned to thermally regulate the pan
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature-regulating unit includes a base, a resonant tank, and a controller. The base is configured to support a pan. The resonant tank includes a coil and a capacitor. The resonant tank has a resonant frequency that is affected by a material of the pan and a temperature of the pan. The controller is configured to receive a temperature setting, monitor the resonant frequency, determine the material of the pan based on the resonant frequency, determine the temperature of the pan based on the resonant frequency, and adaptively control a thermal element based on the temperature of the pan, the material of the pan, and the temperature setting.