Wireless Temperature Sensor for Multi-Appliance Kitchen Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature measurement methods in kitchen appliances are limited to a single appliance and are cumbersome, either requiring wired connections or providing measurement results only to the appliance itself, which restricts their usability and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allow the transmission of temperature data from a transmission-receiving device to a control device or external processor, enabling coordination and control of multiple kitchen 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
1Reliability
If wired temperature probes are used for temperature measurement, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of manufacture deteriorate due to wire guidance through seals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired mechanical temperature probes with a wireless temperature sensor that uses electromagnetic fields for communication. The sensor transmits temperature data wirelessly to the control unit, eliminating the need for physical wire connections through appliance seals, thus reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining measurement reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication system as an intermediary between the temperature sensor and the control unit. This intermediary enables data transmission without direct physical connections, solving the problem of wire guidance through seals while maintaining reliable temperature measurement
2Adaptability or versatility
If temperature measurement is limited to a single appliance, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and productivity deteriorate due to inability to coordinate multiple appliances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal wireless communication protocol that enables temperature data from any appliance equipped with the sensor to be received and processed by any control unit in the network. This multi-functional capability allows coordination between multiple appliances (oven, microwave, refrigerator) without requiring appliance-specific proprietary systems, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity through standardization
3Ease of operation
If wireless temperature sensors are used, then ease of manufacture and operation are improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate without defined frequency band filtering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit receives wireless temperature data, processes it through defined frequency band filtering to eliminate noise, and uses the refined temperature information to automatically control appliance operations. This feedback loop ensures that the convenience of wireless operation does not compromise measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by applying frequency band filtering to the received wireless temperature signals. By selectively filtering specific frequency ranges and removing noise components, the system maintains high measurement precision while preserving the ease of wireless operation
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 and coordination between multiple kitchen appliances for optimized preparation time, allowing for fully automatic and user-friendly temperature-controlled cooking processes across different appliances.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting an electromagnetic excitation signal by means of a transmission-receiving device, receiving the excitation signal by a temperature sensor, which is arranged in the kitchen appliance, in particular in the item to be cooked, transmitting a temperature-dependent response signal by the temperature sensor
Implementation Method 2
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, wherein a conclusion can be drawn to the temperature of the item to be cooked based on the temperature dependency of the electromagnetic waves
Data Source
AI summary
A method for measuring a temperature inside a kitchen appliance, in particular a temperature of an item to be cooked, inside a kitchen appliance, includes: transmitting an electromagnetic excitation signal using a transmission-receiving device, receiving the excitation signal by a temperature sensor, which is arranged in the kitchen appliance, in particular in the item to be cooked, transmitting a temperature-dependent response signal by the temperature sensor, receiving the response signal by the transmission-receiving device, 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, the transmission-receiving device transmits the response signal or partial information of the response signal and/or the value of a current temperature, which is determined by the transmission-receiving device, to a control device of a further kitchen appliance or to an external processor. In addition, a system carries out the method.