System and method for recipe dependent cleaning of cooking appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in determining the optimal timing and type of cleaning for cooking apparatuses, leading to suboptimal cleaning results and potential contamination during multi-step food preparation processes in multifunction cooking devices.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system for recipe-dependent cleaning, which analyzes recipe instructions to determine necessary cleaning modes based on cooking modes, temperature parameters, and ingredient identifiers, and executes cleaning actions automatically after completing relevant cooking steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cleaning actions are performed manually by users, then flexibility in decision-making is maintained, but cleaning timing and effectiveness become suboptimal due to subjective decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking apparatus automatically determines when cleaning is needed and executes cleaning actions without user intervention. The control system monitors cooking parameters and autonomously initiates cleaning sequences, allowing the device to serve itself in maintaining hygiene while eliminating subjective user decisions about cleaning timing and effectiveness
2Reliability
If cleaning instructions are integrated into recipe programs, then cleaning timing is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines cooking instructions and cleaning instructions into a single integrated recipe program. The control system executes both types of instructions sequentially, merging the functionality of cooking control and cleaning management into one unified program structure, thereby optimizing cleaning timing without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The recipe program is designed to serve multiple functions: it can contain both cooking instructions and cleaning instructions, and the control system can execute either type or both types depending on the situation. This multi-functionality allows the same program structure to handle diverse operational requirements without requiring separate dedicated programs for each function
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cooking apparatuses are used in joint cooking processes, then food preparation versatility is improved, but coordination of cleaning actions across devices becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lead apparatus that acts as an intermediary to coordinate cleaning actions across multiple cooking devices. The lead apparatus receives cleaning requirements from satellite apparatuses, determines the optimal timing for consolidated cleaning, and manages the execution of cleaning actions, thereby simplifying the coordination complexity while maintaining the versatility of using multiple devices
Data Source
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AI summary
System (100), method and computer program product for recipe dependent cleaning of a multifunction cooking apparatus. A recipe program (281) with a plurality of recipe instructions for the preparation of a food product includes recipe instructions to be executed by the multifunction cooking apparatus as controlled by a recipe execution engine (130) of the system. A recipe instruction analyzer module (121) analyzes a recipe instruction with regard to parameters (cooking mode, temperature, ingredients) of the recipe instruction. A cleaning mode determination module (122) determines suitable cleaning mode(s) (11, 12, 13) dependent on the results of the analysis by using a decision module (150) which associates one or more cleaning modes with the parameters. A cleaning mode selector module (123) selects, in accordance with predefined selection rules, a particular cleaning mode (11) from the suitable cleaning mode(s). A cleaning execution module (124) executes the selected cleaning mode (11) after completed execution of the respective recipe instruction if the respective recipe instruction is not associated with a non-cleaning indicator in the recipe program.