Slow Cooker Multi-Mode Temperature Control Using Feedback Probe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional slow cookers lack flexibility in cooking modes and temperature control, limiting user options for achieving desired doneness and temperature in cooked food products.
Innovation Solution
A slow cooker with multiple cooking modes, including a temperature probe mode and sous vide mode, that uses a temperature probe to provide feedback for precise temperature control and flexible cooking options, allowing users to select desired temperatures and times for maintaining food at specific temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional slow cookers use fixed temperature settings (low, medium, high), then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability and temperature control precision are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The slow cooker is designed with multiple cooking modes (slow cook, temperature probe mode, sous vide mode) that allow a single device to perform various cooking functions. The control module can switch between different modes and temperature settings, making the device versatile enough to handle different cooking requirements without needing multiple separate appliances.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature probe provides real-time temperature feedback to the control module, which adjusts the heating element accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables precise temperature control in temperature probe mode and sous vide mode, allowing the device to maintain user-selected temperatures accurately throughout the cooking process.
2Measurement precision
If a temperature probe is added for precise temperature control, then temperature control precision is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature probe provides real-time temperature feedback to the control module, which adjusts the heating element accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables precise temperature control in temperature probe mode and sous vide mode, allowing the device to maintain user-selected temperatures accurately throughout the cooking process.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature probe mode and sous vide mode allow users to set their own temperature and time parameters, with the system automatically maintaining these settings. The probe continuously monitors temperature and self-adjusts heating to maintain the desired temperature without requiring constant user intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cooking modes with user-selected temperatures are provided, then adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation may be reduced due to more controls
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking modes are segmented into distinct operational modes (slow cook, temperature probe mode, sous vide mode), each with its own control flow. This segmentation allows users to select the appropriate mode for their cooking task, and the system then guides them through the specific controls needed for that mode, reducing overall complexity by organizing controls into logical groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The user interface dynamically adapts based on the selected cooking mode. When temperature probe mode or sous vide mode is selected, the interface enables temperature and time parameter adjustments. In standard slow cook mode, the interface presents simpler pre-set options. This dynamic adaptation of the interface reduces complexity by showing only the relevant controls for the current operational context.
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 precise temperature control and flexible cooking options, ensuring food is cooked to desired doneness without overcooking or drying out, with the ability to manually adjust temperatures and times during cooking.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element is provided for heating the internal cavity
Implementation Method 2
a temperature probe comprising a temperature sensor for reading a sensed temperature of a food product or liquid within the cooking vessel
Data Source
AI summary
Slow cookers are described that have multiple cooking modes that are based on user selected choices, including the cooking mode and the desired doneness or temperature of the food product to be cooked. Preferably, plural cooking modes are provided to be selected that include the use of a temperature probe to provided temperature feedback information. A control module can be mounted to the slow cooking and programmed to control the multiple cooking modes and the temperature probe can be operatively connected to the control module to provide sensed temperature data for use in the various cooking modes. Preferably, the cooking modes using the temperature probe include the heating of a cooking vessel within the slow cooker for heating the food product or a liquid within the cooking vessel to a desired temperature and to permit the user greater flexibility in cooking options and to vary option at time during the cooking processes. Moreover, the cooking modes preferably also provide functionality to control the cooking processes after a selected temperature is attained.