Sensor-Integrated Measuring Cup for Autonomous Cooking-State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen appliance accessories, such as measuring cups and cover parts, lack the ability to autonomously determine and communicate operating states within cooking vessels, leading to potential cooking errors and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a sensor arrangement, including cameras, infrared sensors, ultrasonic distance meters, and thermometers, within the accessory to determine states like temperature, filling height, and presence of components, with wireless data transmission to the kitchen appliance's control electronics via Bluetooth, enabling intelligent operation and error prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If sensors and electronic components are integrated into the accessory, then the accessory gains autonomous state determination capability, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (optical, acoustic, weight, temperature) and electronic components (controller, transmitter, accumulator) into a single integrated accessory unit. This merging approach enables autonomous state determination while consolidating complexity into one modular component that attaches to the cooking vessel, rather than distributing sensors throughout the entire kitchen appliance system.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory is designed to autonomously determine operating states using its integrated sensor array and controller, then automatically transmit data via wireless transmitter. The accumulator provides self-contained power, allowing the accessory to independently monitor and communicate without requiring connection to the main appliance's power or control systems, thereby gaining automation while keeping the main appliance simple.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated into the accessory, then measurement capability is improved, but the weight of the accessory increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement system into multiple specialized sensor segments (optical sensor for filling level, acoustic sensor for boiling detection, weight sensor for mass measurement, temperature sensor for thermal monitoring). Each sensor targets a specific parameter, allowing the accessory to achieve comprehensive measurement capability while using small, specialized components rather than one large complex sensor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory employs different sensor types that detect different physical parameters (light reflection for level, sound frequency for boiling, mass for weight, temperature for heat). By measuring multiple parameters simultaneously through different physical phenomena, the system achieves comprehensive monitoring capability without requiring a single heavy multi-functional sensor.
3Loss of information
If wireless data transmission is implemented, then communication capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless transmitter operates periodically rather than continuously, transmitting data at intervals or when state changes occur. This periodic transmission approach maintains effective communication capability while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous data streaming, allowing the accumulator to provide sufficient power for the entire accessory system.
4Ease of operation
If the accessory is made waterproof for dishwasher cleaning, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory is designed with universal waterproofing that enables both dishwasher cleaning and effective sensor operation in wet cooking environments. The waterproof construction serves dual purposes: allowing aggressive cleaning methods and ensuring functional reliability during use, thereby improving ease of operation without requiring separate design considerations for cleaning versus operation.
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
Enhances cooking results by preventing errors, ensuring correct setup, and improving operational efficiency through autonomous state determination and communication, allowing for intelligent control of kitchen appliances.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic distance meter, a thermometer, an IR sensor
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasonic distance meter
Implementation Method 3
a camera
Implementation Method 4
The sensor arrangement operates autarkic with respect to its energy supply and therefore features an accumulator
Implementation Method 5
an induction coil acting as primary coil of a transformer may be arranged in the cover. A secondary coil may be arranged in the accessory and form a transformer together with the primary coil
Data Source
AI summary
An accessory for a kitchen appliance, particularly in the form of a measuring cup, for being attached to a cooking vessel, as well as to a correspondingly equipped kitchen appliance, wherein a sensor arrangement is arranged in the accessory and is capable of determining operating states, which are transmitted wirelessly to the kitchen appliance.