Cooking apparatus

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Sous vide cooking requires precise control of temperature and time, which is challenging with existing cooking apparatuses, often necessitating a separate device for effective sous vide cooking due to difficulties in controlling cooking temperature and time.

Innovation Solution

A cooking apparatus with a housing, heating unit, and temperature sensing device that allows for precise temperature control, featuring a heating unit with radially extending heat-transfer ribs for uniform heating and a door with a gasket for airtight sealing, enabling sous vide cooking within a modular and integrated cooking system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a separate cooking apparatus is used for sous vide cooking, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sous vide heating unit with a conventional cooking apparatus housing, integrating temperature-controlled water heating functionality into an existing cooking device. The heating unit includes a heater and temperature sensor that work together within the housing to provide precise temperature control for sous vide cooking, eliminating the need for a completely separate apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooking apparatus is designed to perform multiple cooking functions including conventional cooking and sous vide cooking. The housing can accommodate different cooking modes, and the heating unit can operate in conjunction with existing cooking mechanisms to provide versatile functionality while maintaining precise temperature control for sous vide applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If heating is intensified to reduce cooking time, then productivity is improved, but temperature control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking speedVSAvoidtemperature control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heating unit incorporates a temperature sensor that continuously monitors the water temperature and provides feedback to the control system. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the heater to adjust its power output dynamically, maintaining precise temperature control even during intensive heating operations. The sensor detects temperature changes and signals the controller to modulate heating intensity, preventing overheating while achieving cooking goals efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 apparatus ensures precise temperature control and efficient heating for sous vide cooking, preventing water or foreign material leakage and allowing for modular integration with other cooking devices, enhancing usability and insulation performance.

Implementation Method 1

a heating unit provided in the housing and contacting a bottom surface of the container to heat the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a heating unit with radially extending heat-transfer ribs for uniform heating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a door with a gasket for airtight sealing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3639705B1Cooking apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3639705B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3639705B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3639705B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cooking apparatus may include a housing having an open top surface and having a cooking space formed therein; a door provided on a top of the housing to open and close the cooking space; a container inserted into the housing, the container having an open top surface to receive food to be cooked therein; and a heating unit provided in the housing and contacting a bottom surface of the container to heat the container. The heating unit may include a heating unit body defining a support surface that supports the container; a heater provided in the heating unit body; and a rib that extends downward from the heating unit body to prevent water or foreign material from entering between the heating unit and a bottom of the housing.