Wirelessly operable cooking appliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cooking appliances require users to remain nearby for monitoring and controlling cooking processes, lacking remote operation capabilities, which limits convenience and accuracy in temperature management and food cooking times.

Innovation Solution

A wirelessly operable cooking appliance system that allows users to control a cooking appliance through a user computing device via a wireless network, enabling remote monitoring and operation of cooking processes, including preheating and cooking, using a wireless network for communication between the appliance and the user device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a user remains close to the cooking appliance to monitor and control the cooking process, then the cooking process can be monitored and controlled, but the user convenience and freedom of movement are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidcooking process monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a wireless communication system as an intermediary between the user and the cooking appliance. A remote computing device communicates wirelessly with the cooking appliance, allowing the user to monitor cooking status and control parameters from a distance. This mediator transmits cooking information and control commands without requiring physical proximity, thus resolving the contradiction between user convenience and cooking process monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical requirement of physical presence with an electronic wireless communication system. Instead of the user needing to be physically near the appliance to see displays or adjust controls, the system uses wireless data transmission to convey cooking information and receive control inputs remotely. This substitution of mechanical proximity with electronic communication enables user convenience while maintaining full monitoring and control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If the user frequently checks the cooking appliance to monitor temperature and cooking time, then accurate control is achieved, but time is lost and efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature management accuracyVSAvoiduser time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback system where the cooking appliance continuously monitors temperature and cooking status, then wirelessly transmits this information to the user's remote computing device. The real-time feedback loop allows the user to monitor temperature management accuracy without physically checking the appliance. The system provides continuous updates on cooking progress, eliminating the need for repeated user visits while maintaining precise temperature control through automated monitoring and user-accessible data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cooking appliance requires physical presence for control, then simple device structure is maintained, but adaptability and versatility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote operation capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the cooking appliance universally controllable through multiple interfaces: local physical controls for immediate operation and wireless remote controls for distant operation. The appliance maintains its core cooking functions while adding wireless communication capabilities that enable remote monitoring and control. This multi-functionality approach allows the same device to serve both traditional close-proximity users and modern remote users, enhancing adaptability without fundamentally changing the appliance's primary purpose.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3116358B2Wirelessly operable cooking appliance
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 SPECTRUM BRANDS INC
  • EP3116358B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3116358B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3116358B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wirelessly operable cooking appliance for cooking food products includes a wireless communication device. A computing device, such as a smartphone, can wirelessly communicate with the cooking appliance to control and monitor the cooking appliance.