Weighing Electric Cooker Control for Precise Water and Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional electric heating cookers lack precision in measuring water and ingredient weights, leading to inconsistent cooking results and difficulties in adjusting cooking parameters based on user feedback, and they fail to provide accurate nutritional information, affecting cooking efficiency and health considerations.
Innovation Solution
An electric heating cooker with a weighing function that uses temperature and time control to adjust heating power at different stages of cooking, allowing for precise weight measurements and nutritional content display, enabling users to customize cooking parameters and receive feedback for improved cooking consistency and health awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional temperature or time control methods are used, then the cooking process is simple to operate, but the cooking results are inconsistent and imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from temperature or time to weight. The microcontroller monitors weight changes of the cooker body in real-time during cooking, and adjusts heating power based on weight change rate. This parameter change enables precise control of cooking processes while maintaining ease of operation, as the weight-based control automatically adapts to different cooking stages without requiring complex user intervention.
2Measurement precision
If users add water and ingredients manually without precise measurement, then the operation is simple and quick, but the cooking results vary and nutritional information is inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automatic weight-based control. The system automatically monitors weight changes, determines cooking stages, and adjusts heating power without user intervention. Users simply need to add ingredients and water to the cooker, and the system handles all measurement and control functions automatically, combining precision with operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs continuous feedback through the weight sensor that monitors the cooker body weight in real-time. The microcontroller receives weight change data, compares it with preset thresholds, and adjusts heating power accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures precise ingredient measurement and consistent cooking results while maintaining ease of operation.
3Productivity
If heating power is kept constant throughout cooking, then the control system is simple, but the cooking efficiency is low and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the heating power variable rather than constant. The system dynamically adjusts heating power in three stages: high power during preheating, medium power during boiling, and low power during simmering. This dynamic control improves cooking efficiency and reduces energy consumption while the automated weight-based control keeps the system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through staged heating control. The heating element operates in distinct phases (preheating, boiling, simmering) with different power levels, each lasting for specific time periods or weight change intervals. This periodic heating pattern optimizes cooking efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated control.
4Reliability
If no weight monitoring is implemented, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to detect cooking stage and control vapor evaporation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or temperature-based detection methods with an electronic weight sensing system. The weight sensor mounted on the cooker body provides continuous, non-contact measurement of weight changes, enabling accurate detection of cooking stages and vapor evaporation rates. This substitution improves reliability while keeping the system relatively simple through the use of a single integrated sensor.
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 solution enables accurate control of cooking processes, ensuring consistent results, allowing users to customize cooking parameters based on feedback, and providing clear nutritional information, enhancing cooking efficiency and health awareness.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element for heating the cooking pot (2)
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor (4) for measuring the temperature of the bottom of the cooking pot
Implementation Method 3
a weight sensor (52) for sensing the weight of the whole cooker
Implementation Method 4
the water vapor will go out which results in the change of the weight of the whole cooker. And the speed of evaporating vapor reflects the boiling status of the water in the cooker
Data Source
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AI summary
An electric heating cooker with weighing function and a weighing control method thereof are provided. An electronic scale (5) with weighing function is added under the traditional electric heating cooker and stores cooking experience database and food information database. It solves the problem that users aren't accurate about the amount of water to add for a given weight of ingredient. And experience curve of heating power are designed at different weight points for food such as rice or meat, and also it makes the cooker to intelligently adjust parameters according to the taste feedback of the user so as to be more closer to the user's taste for the cooking next time; additionally it is capable of showing the total and average content of heat quantity, cholesterol, protein, fat ,salt and cook oil of various foods in current cooking or if there are unmatched foods.