Kitchen appliance for sensing food and beverage properties

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Solution Overview

Problem

Kitchen appliances face challenges in accurately measuring properties like temperature during food and beverage preparation due to difficulties in positioning sensors close to the content, especially when attachments rotate at high speeds, such as in stand mixers and ice cream makers.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating sensors into removable attachments that come into contact with the content, such as beater attachments in stand mixers, which include wireless transmitters to send temperature data to a controller for precise temperature control, and using wireless power transfer to power these sensors to avoid interference and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensors are positioned close to the content for accurate temperature sensing, then measurement precision is improved, but the sensor may be damaged by high-speed rotation or interfere with the mixing process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature sensing accuracyVSAvoidsensor durability and interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the sensing function into separate removable attachments that can be independently replaced. Each attachment contains its own sensor, allowing the sensor to be positioned close to the content for accurate measurement while protecting it from damage through easy replacement if needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A wireless transmitter serves as an intermediary between the sensor in the rotating attachment and the controller in the stationary body. This allows the sensor to remain isolated in the rotating attachment without direct electrical connections that would be damaged by high-speed rotation, while still enabling data transmission to the controller for temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If sensors are incorporated into rotating attachments for direct contact with content, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to wireless power and data transmission requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidwireless transmitter and power transfer system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The removable attachment serves multiple functions: it performs the mechanical mixing action, houses the temperature sensor for measurement, and contains the wireless transmitter for data communication. This consolidation of multiple functions into a single removable component simplifies the overall system architecture despite the added sensing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment is self-powered through wireless power transfer from the stationary body, eliminating the need for electrical connections between the rotating and stationary parts. The sensor and transmitter in the attachment automatically receive power and transmit data without requiring complex wiring that would compromise rotational movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If removable attachments with sensors are used, then adaptability is improved for different food processing needs, but manufacturing precision requirements increase for integrating sensors into attachments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment interchangeabilityVSAvoidsensor integration into rotating components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the food processing function into interchangeable removable attachments, each optimized for specific tasks. The sensor integration is confined to individual attachments rather than the entire appliance, allowing specialized manufacturing for each attachment type while maintaining overall system versatility through attachment interchangeability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 accurate temperature measurement and control during mixing processes, allowing for precise temperature management and improved repeatability of food preparation steps, even with rotating attachments, enhancing the success and consistency of recipes.

Implementation Method 1

a wireless transmitter associated with the removable accessory, the transmitter receiving input from the at least one sensor and transmitting parameters associated with the input

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11213170B2Kitchen appliance for sensing food and beverage properties

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 BREVILLE HLDG PTY LTD

AI summary

A kitchen appliance for processing content is described. The kitchen appliance comprises a body portion, a removable accessory received by the body portion, the removable accessory being in contact with the content during processing thereof; and at least one sensor incorporated into the removable accessory. The kitchen appliance also comprises a wireless transmitter associated with the removable accessory, the transmitter receiving input from the at least one sensor and transmitting parameters associated with the input; and a controller in the body portion for controlling operation of the kitchen appliance based upon the parameters. The removable accessory is a food processing attachment that rotates with a mixing action.