Food Processor SAW Temperature Sensing for Cleanable Multi-Zone Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric food processors face challenges in achieving homogeneous temperature distribution within cooking vessels and containers, limiting the efficiency and quality of cooking processes due to the reliance on wired temperature sensors that are inflexible and difficult to clean.
Innovation Solution
The integration of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors for wireless temperature measurement, allowing for flexible placement on various elements of the food processor, including the vessel, cooking container, and spatula, along with multiple temperature sensors in different cooking zones, and a separate transceiver device for communication, enabling precise temperature monitoring and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wired temperature sensors are used in the food processor, then temperature measurement is achieved, but the sensors are inflexible and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensing function is extracted from the main vessel structure and implemented as a separate, removable SAW sensor that can be easily detached for cleaning. The sensor is integrated into a locally variable element that can be separated from the base appliance, allowing independent cleaning of both the sensor and the vessel without disassembling complex wiring connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The wired mechanical connection system is replaced with a wireless SAW sensor system that communicates via electromagnetic waves. This eliminates physical cables and connectors that would interfere with cleaning, allowing the sensor to be freely positioned and easily removed for washing without any mechanical attachments.
2Measurement precision
If wired temperature sensors are used in the food processor, then temperature measurement is achieved, but the sensors are inflexible in placement
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor placement is made dynamic and adaptable through the use of SAW sensors that can be positioned at multiple locations including the vessel, cooking container, and spatula. The wireless nature of the sensor allows it to be moved and repositioned freely during operation and cleaning, adapting to different cooking configurations and requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The SAW sensor system serves multiple functions and locations - it can be integrated into the base appliance, the vessel, the cooking container, or even the spatula. This universal applicability allows the same sensor technology to provide temperature measurement across all critical zones of the food processor, enhancing versatility while maintaining measurement precision.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple temperature sensors are used in different cooking zones, then homogeneous temperature distribution is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation device uses wireless communication to receive temperature data from multiple SAW sensors, eliminating the need for complex wired connections and signal routing. The transceiver and evaluation unit process signals from multiple sensors independently, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining the capability to monitor and ensure homogeneous temperature distribution across multiple cooking zones.
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
This solution allows for easy cleaning and flexible placement of temperature sensors, ensuring reliable and homogeneous temperature distribution across cooking zones, enhancing cooking efficiency and quality by enabling independent temperature regulation of each zone.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature sensor is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor
Implementation Method 2
a transceiver device for communication with the temperature sensor
Implementation Method 3
a heating device assigned to the vessel
Implementation Method 4
one or more bottom openings through which steam escaping from the container enters the cooking container
Implementation Method 5
condensate can flow from the cooking container into the vessel
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electrically operated food processor (1), in particular a cooking mixer, for preparing food, which has a base unit (14), a vessel (2) that can be inserted into the base unit (14) and has an agitator (18), a the vessel (2) assigned heating device (9), a temperature sensor (5), a transceiver device (12) for communication with the temperature sensor (5) and an evaluation device (13) for evaluating the temperature sensor (5) received has measurement data. In order to create an electric food processor (1) with an alternative connection between the temperature sensor (5) and the evaluation device (13), it is proposed that the temperature sensor (5) be an acoustic surface wave sensor (SAW sensor).