Method for measuring a temperature within a kitchen appliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature measurement methods in kitchen appliances are limited to single appliance use, are complex to manufacture, and inconvenient for users, as they require wired connections or are restricted to local monitoring within the appliance.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that allows temperature data from one kitchen appliance to be transmitted to another or an external device for coordinated cooking processes, using wireless communication and surface acoustic wave sensors, enabling inter-appliance coordination for efficient food preparation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired temperature sensors are used in kitchen appliances, then temperature measurement is reliable, but the cable must be led through seals which increases production complexity and reduces user convenience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement reliabilityVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wired mechanical temperature sensors with wireless temperature sensors that communicate via radio frequency. This eliminates the need for physical cable connections through appliance seals, thereby reducing production complexity while maintaining temperature measurement reliability through wireless signal transmission.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary (radio frequency transceiver system) between the temperature sensor and the control unit. This intermediary enables temperature data transmission without physical cable connections, solving the contradiction between reliable measurement and production simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If wireless temperature sensors are used, then production complexity is reduced, but the measurement result is only available to the same kitchen appliance limiting inter-appliance coordination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction complexityVSAvoidinter-appliance coordination capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal wireless communication interface that enables temperature data from any kitchen appliance to be transmitted to and utilized by other kitchen appliances. This multi-functional communication system allows a single wireless sensor to serve multiple appliances, enhancing adaptability and coordination capabilities while maintaining production simplicity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends the communication dimension from local (single appliance) to remote (multiple appliances via network). By adding the network communication dimension, temperature data can be shared across different appliances and even remote devices, transforming the system from isolated to interconnected while keeping the sensor design simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If temperature data is transmitted to external devices, then user convenience is enhanced through remote monitoring, but data transmission complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoiddata transmission complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic temperature data transmission where the wireless temperature sensor autonomously sends data to external devices without requiring complex user configuration. The system self-manages the communication process, reducing the perceived complexity for users while maintaining ease of operation through automatic connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes preliminary communication protocols and network connections before actual temperature monitoring begins. By pre-configuring the wireless communication framework, the system reduces transmission complexity during actual use, allowing users to benefit from remote monitoring without dealing with complex setup procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Facilitates coordinated preparation across multiple kitchen appliances, reducing overall preparation time and enhancing user convenience by allowing remote monitoring and control of cooking processes.

Implementation Method 1

surface wave components are excited to vibrate by high-frequency electromagnetic waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface acoustic wave: Surface Acoustic Wave

Implementation Method 2

high-frequency electromagnetic waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

surface wave components are excited to vibrate by high-frequency electromagnetic waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface acoustic wave: Surface Acoustic Wave

Implementation Method 4

The waves returned by the temperature sensor as a response signal are received by the transceiver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3056882B1Method for measuring a temperature within a kitchen appliance
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH
  • EP3056882B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3056882B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3056882B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for measuring a temperature inside a kitchen appliance (1), in particular the temperature of an item to be cooked (21) to be cooked inside a kitchen appliance (1), with the method steps: transmission of an electromagnetic excitation signal by means of a transceiver (2) , receiving the excitation signal by a temperature sensor (3) arranged in the kitchen appliance (1), in particular in the food to be cooked (21), sending a temperature-dependent response signal by the temperature sensor (3), receiving the response signal by the transceiver (2 ), determining the current temperature by comparing the response signal with temperature-dependent reference signals. In order to also enable interaction between several kitchen appliances (1, 4), it is proposed that the transceiver (2) transmit the response signal or partial information of the response signal and/or the amount of a determined current temperature to a control device of another kitchen appliance (4) or to an external computer (5). In addition, a system for carrying out a method according to the invention is proposed.