Wireless Food Temperature Sensing for Coordinated Kitchen Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature measurement methods in kitchen appliances are limited to single appliance use and are cumbersome, either requiring wired connections or providing measurement results only to the appliance itself, lacking interoperability and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where a temperature measurement device transmits temperature data from one kitchen appliance to another or an external processor, allowing coordinated control of multiple appliances for efficient and automated food preparation, using wireless communication and acoustic surface wave sensors to determine temperature accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wired temperature probes are installed in the kitchen appliance, then temperature measurement can be performed, but the wire must be guided through the seals which is extensive for production and uncomfortable for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired mechanical temperature probes with a wireless temperature sensor that uses electromagnetic waves for communication. The sensor is integrated into the kitchen appliance housing and communicates wirelessly with a mobile device, eliminating the need for physical wire connections through seals and reducing production complexity while maintaining temperature measurement capability
2Ease of manufacture
If wireless temperature sensors are used, then production is simplified, but the measurement result is only available to the oven itself and lacks interaction with other appliances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication interface based on electromagnetic wave standards that allows the temperature sensor to communicate not only with the oven's control unit but also with mobile devices and other kitchen appliances. This multi-functional communication capability enables interoperability and coordinated operation across different appliances while maintaining production simplicity
3Productivity
If temperature data is shared across multiple appliances, then coordinated preparation processes can be achieved, but additional communication infrastructure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary that receives temperature data from the sensor via wireless communication and relays it to other kitchen appliances. This mediator approach enables coordinated preparation processes across multiple appliances without requiring direct complex communication infrastructure between all devices, thus improving productivity while managing device complexity
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 seamless communication of temperature data across multiple kitchen appliances, facilitating coordinated preparation processes, enhancing user convenience and efficiency by allowing preheating and synchronized cooking steps across different appliances.
Implementation Method 1
A wireless temperature sensor based on surface waves, for example, is known from DE 10 2005 015 028 A1. For measuring a temperature, surface wave components are excited to vibrate by means of high-frequency electromagnetic waves
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for measuring a temperature inside a kitchen appliance (1), in particular of a temperature of an item to be cooked of an item to be cooked (21), which is to be prepared inside a kitchen appliance (1), comprising the method steps: transmitting an electromagnetic excitation signal by means of a transmission-receiving device (2), receiving the excitation signal by a temperature sensor (3), which is arranged in the kitchen appliance (1), in particular in the item to be cooked (21), transmitting a temperature-dependent response signal by the temperature sensor (3), receiving the response signal by the transmission-receiving device (2), determining the current temperature by comparing the response signal to temperature-dependent reference signals. To also provide for an interaction between a plurality of kitchen appliances (1, 4), it is proposed for the transmission-receiving device (2) to transmit the response signal or partial information of the response signal and/or the value of a current temperature, which is determined by means of the transmission-receiving device (2), to a control device of a further kitchen appliance (4) or to an external processor (5). In addition, a system for carrying out a method according to the invention is proposed.