Variable-Wavelength Oven Heating Through a Support Tray

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cooking instruments lack the capability to systematically and consistently produce complex meals with precision and speed, requiring multiple instruments and manual intervention due to the inability to understand and replicate heating patterns effectively.

Innovation Solution

A cooking instrument with a computing device-controlled heating system that adjusts peak emission wavelength and spectral power distribution of heating elements, allowing for precise heat transfer to food through a support tray or envelope, enabling the emulation of various cooking methods and recipes, including infrared-based heating systems with directional heating elements and a control system that can execute heat adjustment algorithms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If conventional cooking instruments are used, then multiple instruments and manual intervention are required to produce complex meals, but the cooking process cannot be automated systematically with precision and speed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of cooking processVSAvoidcooking speed and precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking instrument integrates multiple heating elements (infrared, convection, conduction, radiation) into a single device, enabling it to perform various cooking functions simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows the instrument to automate complex meal preparation that previously required multiple separate instruments and manual coordination, thereby improving both automation extent and cooking productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts heating parameters including wavelength, power distribution, and heating zone configuration through a computing device. This parametric control enables precise automation of cooking processes for different meal types, achieving both high automation and maintained cooking precision through systematic parameter optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cooking instruments are used to produce complex meals, then more equipment is available for different cooking methods, but the process requires understanding and coordinating multiple heating patterns manually

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking method varietyVSAvoidnumber of instruments and coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple heating elements and cooking functions into a single integrated instrument. The infrared heating element, convection system, and conduction components work together in one device, eliminating the need to coordinate multiple separate instruments while maintaining versatility in cooking methods through unified control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated instrument provides universal cooking capabilities by incorporating multiple heating mechanisms that can be activated independently or in combination. This allows one device to replace multiple specialized instruments while the computing device coordinates their operation to simplify the user experience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If conventional cooking instruments are used, then simple meals can be prepared quickly, but complex meals cannot be produced systematically with precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking speedVSAvoidcooking precision for complex meals

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The computing device systematically controls heating parameters including wavelength selection, power distribution across zones, and timing sequences. This parametric control enables precise cooking of complex meals by optimizing heat transfer characteristics for different food types and cooking stages, achieving both speed and precision through automated parameter optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors and computing devices that monitor cooking progress and adjust heating parameters in real-time. This feedback control ensures precise cooking outcomes for complex meals while maintaining efficient cooking speed through dynamic parameter adjustment based on actual cooking conditions

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

Enables the automated and precise cooking of complex meals by dynamically controlling heat transfer to food, reducing human intervention and improving cooking consistency and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS10064244B2Variable peak wavelength cooking instrument with support tray

Publication Date: 2018.08.28 BRAVA HOME INC

AI summary

Several embodiments include a cooking appliance/instrument (e.g., oven). The cooking appliance/instrument can include a cooking chamber, a support tray adapted to hold food in the cooking chamber; and a heating system comprised of at least a heating element. The heating system is adapted to emit waves according to a particular configuration such that the emitted waves is substantially transparent or substantially opaque to the support tray and thus enabling the cooking instrument to select what to heat.