Cooking device with position determining device for retractable door
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking appliances lack precise control over door movement, making it difficult to automate and optimize the positioning of the door during opening and closing, which affects user convenience and access to the cooking space.
Innovation Solution
A cooking appliance equipped with a position determination device that uses non-contact electromagnetic sensors to track the door's movement, allowing for precise positioning and speed control, enabling automatic and efficient door movement between closed, open, and intermediate positions based on user needs or operational states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a retractable door mechanism is implemented, then user convenience and access to cooking space are improved, but precise control over door movement and positioning is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical position sensing methods with electromagnetic sensors to detect door position. This substitution enables precise measurement of door movement without adding complex mechanical feedback systems, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback system using electromagnetic sensors to continuously monitor door position during movement. This feedback enables the control unit to automatically adjust and maintain precise door positioning, allowing the door to be stopped at intermediate positions while maintaining user convenience.
2Measurement precision
If automatic door movement control is added, then door positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the drive mechanism for door movement, processes signals from electromagnetic sensors, and manages intermediate position stopping. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining high positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electromagnetic field-based sensing system that mediates between the mechanical door movement and the electronic control system. This intermediary approach enables precise position detection without requiring direct mechanical coupling or complex contact-based sensors, thus limiting complexity increase.
3Measurement precision
If electromagnetic sensors are used for position detection, then non-contact measurement is achieved, but additional components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electromagnetic sensing function with the existing control unit architecture. The electromagnetic sensors are integrated into the door assembly, and their signals are processed by the existing control unit, which already manages door drive mechanisms. This merging approach enables non-contact position detection while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by reusing existing components.
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 solution provides precise and automatic control over the door's movement, enhancing user convenience by eliminating manual operation and optimizing access to the cooking space, while reducing mechanical stress and the need for additional damping systems.
Implementation Method 1
the position-determining device is designed for contactless, in particular electromagnetic, position determination of the door during this lowering movement and/or during this extending movement
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cooking appliance (1) with a housing (2) in which a cooking chamber is formed, and with a door (3) for closing the cooking chamber, wherein the door (3) is pivotably arranged on the housing (2) and can be lowered into a storage space (14) in the housing (2), wherein the door (3) has a carriage (23) which is guided in a guide track (35, 36) of the cooking appliance (1), so that the lowering movement into and the lifting movement of the door (3) out of the storage space (14) are guided, wherein the cooking appliance (1) has a position determination device (47) with which the position of the door (3) can be determined during this lowering movement and/or during this lifting movement.