Wireless Cooking Appliance Interface for Simpler Control Hardware

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cooking appliances require integrated user interfaces with controls and displays, which complicates design, increases material requirements, and hinders remote communication capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A cooking appliance with a completely smooth surface lacking integrated controls or displays, utilizing a separate external user computing device, such as a tablet or smartphone, for inputting operating parameters and cooking instructions via a wireless communication interface, allowing for customizable and network-accessible control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an integrated user interface with controls and displays is included in the cooking appliance, then the appliance can be operated directly by users, but the design becomes more complex and material requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect operation capabilityVSAvoidappliance design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface functions (display, controls, communication interface) are extracted from the cooking appliance and placed in a separate remote device. This allows the appliance to maintain ease of operation through the remote interface while significantly reducing its own design complexity and material requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A remote device acts as an intermediary between the user and the cooking appliance. The remote device handles all user interaction, display, and communication functions, allowing the appliance itself to have a simplified design with only the essential cooking components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If an integrated user interface with controls and displays is included in the cooking appliance, then users can input parameters directly, but material needs and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter input capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

All interface-related components (display screens, control buttons, communication modules) are extracted from the appliance and relocated to the remote device. This dramatically simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of components and assembly steps required for the appliance itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The remote device serves multiple functions: it acts as the user interface, provides display capabilities, handles communication with the appliance, and can store recipes. This multi-functionality in a single external device eliminates the need for separate integrated components in the appliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If wireless communication interface is added for remote control, then remote operation is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoidcommunication interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication function is placed in the remote device which acts as an intermediary. The appliance only needs basic communication capability to exchange simple control signals and status information, while the complex communication protocols and interfaces are handled by the remote device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Physical controls and displays are replaced with wireless electronic communication. The appliance uses electronic signals transmitted wirelessly to the remote device, eliminating the need for physical interface components and reducing mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Simplifies appliance design, reduces material needs, enhances maintenance, and enables advanced remote control and recipe sharing through a multifunction touch screen, while maintaining ergonomic functionality.

Implementation Method 1

heat energy transferring means arranged for heating the food in the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

motorized driving means for rotating a detachable stirring or cutting blade inside the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2805654B1Cooking appliance for the processing and preparing foods with an external user interface

Publication Date: 2019.01.02 COMPANIA ESPANOLA DE ELECTROMENAJE

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a cooking appliance for processing and preparing foods with an external user interface comprising a base structure (48) on which a support suitable for holding a container (2) containing foods to be processed is assembled, motorized driving means suitable for rotating detachable stirring or cutting means inside the container (2), an electronic circuit for powering and controlling said driving means and heat energy transferring means controlled by an appliance microprocessor, a user interface integrated in a user computing device (D) detached with respect to the appliance for inputting operating parameters of the appliance, and wherein said user computing device (D) is communicated with said appliance microprocessor through a wireless communication interface for inputting operating instructions of the appliance or cooking programs.