Methods and systems for facilitating autonomous cooking of meals using a smart cooker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous cooking technologies cook all ingredients at the same temperature and time, limiting flavor and nutrient retention, and lack stirring or mixing capabilities, making them unsuitable for mass production and flavor variety.
Innovation Solution
A smart cooker system with a multi-compartment Meal Pod for ingredient storage, a motorized stirrer, and IoT connectivity, allowing for controlled temperature, ingredient dispensing, and recipe execution via a digital interface, enabling efficient and customizable cooking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If all ingredients are cooked at the same temperature and time, then the cooking process is simple, but the flavor and nutrient retention are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking system is segmented into multiple independent heating zones, each capable of operating at different temperatures and times. Ingredients are divided into separate compartments that can be cooked simultaneously in different conditions, then combined. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple overall system operation while achieving complex differential cooking results.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooking system dynamically adjusts temperature and time parameters for different ingredient zones based on recipe requirements. The control system enables flexible programming of cooking profiles that change over time, allowing ingredients to be cooked at optimal temperatures for their specific requirements while maintaining a unified cooking process.
2Ease of operation
If ingredients are stored in several small containers, then storage is organized, but the system is unsuitable for mass demand
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple small ingredient containers are nested within a larger storage system. The small containers fit inside a centralized ingredient reservoir, allowing organized storage of individual ingredients while achieving large total storage capacity suitable for mass production. This nested arrangement maintains ease of ingredient selection while scaling to larger quantities.
Solution Approach 2:
The ingredient storage system is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate various container sizes and types. The same storage mechanism handles both small individual ingredients and larger bulk items, enabling the system to meet mass demand while maintaining organized storage through a single multi-functional storage architecture.
3Device complexity
If there is no stirring or mixing of ingredients, then the cooking process is simpler, but the induced tastes and flavor variety are limited
Solution Approach 1:
Stirring and mixing are implemented as periodic actions at specific stages of the cooking process rather than continuous operation. Ingredients are mixed at predetermined intervals to develop flavors at optimal times, then allowed to cook undisturbed. This periodic mixing achieves flavor variety while maintaining relatively simple cooking process control.
Solution Approach 2:
A automated stirring mechanism acts as an intermediary between the heating zones and the final dish. This mediator component performs the mixing function that would otherwise require manual intervention, enabling flavor development through controlled mixing while keeping the overall cooking process simple and automated.
4Volume of stationary object
If a single large container is used for all ingredients, then space is minimized, but ingredients cannot be stored separately
Solution Approach 1:
The single large container is segmented into multiple compartments or zones that physically separate different ingredients. Each compartment maintains ingredient separation while the entire assembly occupies a compact footprint. This segmented design achieves both space minimization and ingredient separation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple small ingredient containers are nested within a compact outer housing, creating a space-efficient single-unit storage system. The nested arrangement keeps ingredients separated in their individual containers while the entire nested structure occupies minimal kitchen space as a unified compact unit.
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 smart cooker system enhances flavor and nutrient retention by controlling temperature and mixing ingredients according to recipes, accommodating various meal types and mass production demands.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature inside the cooking pot may be controlled by means of a heating element
Implementation Method 2
A motorized stirrer... allowing for controlled temperature, ingredient dispensing, and recipe execution
Implementation Method 3
provide appropriate pressure control to accelerate the cooking process and shorten the cooking time consequently
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is about an automatic cooking system for autonomous cooking using a portable smart cooker. The smart cooker undertakes such autonomous cooking through appropriate pressure control and using a meal pod that comprises of multi-dispenser units for automated dispensing of ingredients, following the instructions in a digital recipe. The smart cooker allows user controls through touch-screen digital interface along with app-controlled applications.