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(11) | EP 3 483 508 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | OVEN AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF |
| (57) There is disclosed an oven (100) for heating food. The oven comprises a controller
(156) and one or more heating elements (112, 114, 116, 118). One or more position
sensors (138, 140) are provided that are constructed and arranged to obtain position
information of a food item (134) to be heated in the oven by the one or more heating
elements (112, 114, 116, 118). The controller (156) is configured to receive the position
information from the one or more position sensors (138, 140), and to control a temperature
output of the one or more heating elements (112, 114, 116, 118) based at least in
part on the position information.
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Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an oven for heating food, and a method of operating an oven for heating food.
Background
[0002] Ovens are used for heating food. Known ovens comprise one or more heating elements arranged in the oven for heating food placed in a cooking compartment of the oven. A user can select a heating or cooking temperature via a user interface of the oven.
Summary
[0003] According to a first aspect disclosed herein, there is provided an oven for heating food comprising: a controller; one or more heating elements; one or more position sensors constructed and arranged to obtain position information of a food item to be heated in the oven by the one or more heating elements; and the controller configured to receive the position information from the one or more position sensors, and to control a temperature output of the one or more heating elements based at least in part on the position information.
[0004] According to some examples, the oven comprises a shelf for supporting the food item to be heated, the shelf being movable between different positions in the oven, the one or more position sensors constructed and arranged to obtain the position information of
[0005] According to some examples, the one or more position sensors is constructed and arranged to obtain the position information of the food item by directly sensing a position of the food item.
[0006] According to some examples, the oven comprises two or more heating elements, the two or more heating elements comprising a first heating element and a second heating element.
[0007] According to some examples, the two or more heating elements comprise any two or more of: a top heating element; a bottom heating element; a side heating element; a rear heating element.
[0008] According to some examples, the controller is configured to, in response to determining that the food item to be heated is closer to the second heating element than the first heating element, cause the first heating element to emit heat at a first temperature and to cause the second heating element to emit heat at a second temperature, the first temperature being higher than the second temperature.
[0009] According to some examples, the controller is configured to adjust a temperature of the one or more heating elements from a temperature set by a user.
[0010] According to some examples, the controller is configured to delay heating of the one or more heating elements until the position information of the food item has been obtained.
[0011] According to some examples, the one or more position sensors comprise any one of: an infra-red sensor; an ultrasound sensor; a laser.
[0012] According to some examples, the oven comprises one or more temperature sensors for sensing a temperature at one or more respective locations of the oven.
[0013] According to a second aspect there is provided a method of operating an oven for heating a food item in the oven, comprising: obtaining position information of a food item to be heated in the oven from one or more position sensors; and controlling a temperature output of the one or more heating elements based at least in part on the obtained position information of the food item.
[0014] According to some examples, the method comprises obtaining the position information of the food item to be heated by obtaining position information of a shelf supporting the food item.
[0015] According to some examples, the method comprises obtaining the position information of the food item to be heated by directly obtaining position information of the food item.
[0016] According to some examples, the one or more heating elements comprises a first heating element and a second heating element, and in response to determining that the food item to be heated is closer to the second heating element than the first heating element, controlling the first heating element to emit heat at a first temperature and controlling the second heating element to emit heat at a second temperature, the first temperature being higher than the second temperature.
[0017] According to some examples, the method comprises delaying heating of the one or more heating elements until the position information of the food item has been obtained.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0018] To assist understanding of the present disclosure and to show how embodiments may be put into effect, reference is made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows schematically an oven according to an example.
Figure 2 shows schematically an oven according to an example.
Figure 3 shows schematically a plot of temperature against time for heating element(s), according to an example.
Figure 4 is a flow chart of a method according to an example.
Detailed Description
[0019] The present disclosure has applicability to ovens that are suitable for heating food. Such ovens may be used in a domestic setting (e.g. a user's home), or in a commercial setting (e.g. a restaurant or cafe). When using such an oven a user typically places food to be cooked on to a tray or shelf in the oven. The food may be placed directly on to the shelf, or be contained in a receptacle such as a baking tray or pot. Often the food can be moved between two or more set positions in the oven, for example a top portion of the oven, a middle portion of the oven, or a lower portion of the oven (for example by moving the shelf, or selecting between two or more available shelves). The user can also set a cooking or heating temperature of the oven via a user interface of the oven. In some ovens the temperature set by the user may be indicative of a temperature that will be experienced at or near the centre of the oven. However, the actual temperature which the food to be heated is subjected to may be dependent upon where in the oven the food is placed, for example whether it is in the top portion, middle portion or lower portion. For example, if the oven has a single heating element at the top of the oven, and the food is placed in the lower portion of the oven, then the food may be cooked at a lower temperature than was intended and set by the user. Some ovens comprise more than one heating element. For example an oven may comprise a top heating element at the top of the oven, and a bottom or lower heating element at the base of the oven. If food to be heated is placed in the lower portion of the oven, then the top of the food may be subject to a temperature lower than intended and set by the user, whilst the bottom or underside of the food may be subjected to a temperature higher than that intended by and set by the user. Again, this may lead to improperly cooked food. Improperly, unevenly or undercooked food may harm a user, for example may lead to burns in a mouth of the user or may lead to food poisoning. Furthermore, it may lead to annoyance of the user, and give the user a negative perception of the oven in question.
[0020] Figure 1 schematically shows an oven 100 according to an example. The oven 100 comprises a main body portion 102. A heating compartment or cabinet is schematically shown at 104. The heating compartment 104 comprises a top or upper portion 106, a middle or intermediate portion 108, and a lower or bottom portion 110. The oven 100 comprises at least one heating element. In this example the oven 100 comprises top or upper heating element 112, bottom or lower heating element 114, and side heating elements 116 and 118. It will be understood that in other examples the oven 100 may comprise any one or more of, and indeed any combination of heating elements 112, 114, 116 and 118. In some examples a back or rear heating element may also be provided, for example positioned on or adjacent rear surface 113 of compartment 104. A food item to be heated is schematically shown at 134. In this example the food item 134 is placed in a receptacle 136, such as a baking tray or pot. In this example the food item 134, in receptacle 136, is placed on a shelf 120 of the oven. The shelf 120 is supported on supports 122 and 124. In the example of Figure 1 the shelf 120 is positioned in or proximate to lower portion 110 of the oven. The shelf 120 is movable within the oven. For example the shelf may alternatively be positioned in the middle portion 108 of the oven by resting on supports 126 and 128, or the shelf may alternatively be positioned in the top portion 106 of the oven by resting on supports 130 and 132. The supports 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132 may according to some examples comprise slots, recesses, projections or the like. In some examples more than one shelf may be provided, such that the user does not necessarily have to move a shelf in order for the food 134 to be moved within the oven 100, rather the food 134 can be moved between available shelves. Although in the example of Figure 1 three potential shelf positions are shown (upper, middle and lower), it will of course be understood that more or fewer positions may be provided.
[0021] A door is schematically shown at 146. The door 146 is connected to the main body portion 102 of the oven 100 with hinges 148 and 150. The door 146 may be movable between an open position, for example to enable access to the compartment 104, and a closed position in which the compartment 104 is enclosed or substantially enclosed. In Figure 1 the door 146 is schematically shown in an open position.
[0022] A user interface is schematically shown at 152. The user interface 152 may comprise one or more knobs, and/or dials and/or buttons. Via the user interface 152 a user can set or adjust one or more settings or parameters of the oven. For example a user may be able to select a cooking temperature (e.g. between 100°C and 250°C), and/or a cooking duration (e.g. 30 minutes, 1 hour, 6 hours etc.). Via the user interface 152 a user may also be able to set a time to start cooking or delay a time to start cooking, in some examples.
[0023] A display is schematically shown at 154. In some examples the display 154 may comprise a LCD or LED display. The display 154 is operable to output information to a user. For example the display 154 may display information such as a cooking temperature set by the user, time remaining of a cooking cycle, time of day etc. In some examples the display may be a touchscreen display. In such touchscreen examples the user interface 152 may be comprised in the display 154.
[0024] In the example of Figure 1 the oven 100 comprises a temperature sensor 162. The temperature sensor 162 is constructed and arranged to monitor a temperature in the compartment 104. The temperature sensor 162 comprises a material or coating enabling it to withstand a maximum temperature of the oven. In some examples more than one temperature sensor 162 is provided, enabling temperatures to be sensed in different parts of the oven compartment 104. For example, the oven may comprise a top or upper temperature sensor 162 and a bottom or lower temperature sensor 163.
[0025] A controller is schematically shown at 156. The controller 156 comprises a memory 158 and a processor 160. In some examples the controller 156 is in the form of a microcontroller unit (MCU). The controller 156 is operable to control operations of the oven 100. For example the controller 156 is operable to control a temperature in the oven, for example by controlling a heat output of the one or more heating elements 112, 114, 116, 118. In examples where there is more than one heating element, the controller may be configured to control a temperature output of each heating element independently. The controller 156 is also operable to receive information. For example the controller 156 can receive information from temperature sensor 162 of a temperature in the oven, or where there is more than one temperature sensor a temperature in multiple locations of the oven.
[0026] The one or more heating elements 112, 114, 116 and 118 may be gas or electric heating elements. Where gas elements are used an appropriate gas inlet and piping is provided in the oven for supplying gas to the heating elements. Where gas elements are used the temperature of the heating element(s) may be controlled by controlling a flow rate of gas to the heating element(s). Where electric heating element(s) are provided the heating element(s) may each comprise one or more filaments. Where electric elements are used the temperature of the heating element(s) may be controlled by controlling an electrical current passing through the heating element(s).
[0027] A power connection is schematically shown at 164. The power connection 164 enables the oven 100 to be connected to mains electricity for example, for powering the oven 100.
[0028] According to examples one or more position sensors is provided. The one or more position sensors is constructed and arranged to obtain position or location information of a food item to be heated or being heated in the oven. In the example of Figure 1, the oven 100 comprises a first position sensor 138. The position sensor 138 is, in the example of Figure 1, positioned on top surface 105 of the compartment 104. In the example of Figure 1 a second position sensor 140 is provided. The position sensor 140 is provided on side surface 107 of the oven. The oven further comprises side surface 109, base surface 111, and rear surface 113 (which rear surface 113 is positioned opposite the door 146, when the door 146 is in a closed position). As mentioned above, one or more position sensors is provided. That is, in some examples there is only a single position sensor provided. The one or more position sensors may be provided on or adjacent one or more of top surface 105, side surface 107, side surface 109, base surface 111 and rear surface 113, and in any combination. In some examples, a position sensor may be provided on an inside surface of door 146.
[0029] The one or more position sensors 138, 140 is arranged to obtain position or location information of a food item to be heated or being heated in the oven. The one or more position sensors 138, 140 may comprise, for example, an infra-red sensor, or an ultrasound sensor, or a laser, or any combination thereof. For example, the position sensor can detect distance/position by detecting a beam emitted by the position sensor and reflected off an item (e.g. food 134, receptacle 136, shelf 120) back to a sensor of the position sensor. Such beams are schematically shown in Figure 1 at 142 and 144. In some examples the one or more position sensors obtain the position information of the food item 134 by sensing a distance to the food item 134 itself. In such examples it may be considered that the one or more position sensors is directly obtaining position information of the food item 134. In some examples the one or more position sensors obtain the position information of the food item 134 by sensing a distance to a receptacle 136 holding the food item 134. In some examples the one or more position sensors obtain the position information of the food item 134 by sensing a distance to a shelf 120 on which the food item 134 (and possibly a receptacle holding the food item) is placed.
[0030] The controller is configured to receive the position information, and to control a temperature output of the at least one heating element 112, 114, 116, 118 based at least in part on the position information. In some examples the position information comprises distance information (e.g. 10cm, 20cm, 30cm etc.). In some examples the controller 156 receives raw data from the one or more position sensors 138, 140 (e.g. current and/or voltage information, which may also be considered position or distance information as it is dependent thereon), which the controller 156 converts or interprets in to position or distance information. In some examples the controller 156 comprises an analogue to digital converter (ADC), and receives analogue distance information which the controller 156 converts in to a digital value.
[0031] In some examples the controller 156 is configured to determine a distance or position of food item 134 from a reference position in the oven 100. The reference position may comprise, for example, a position of the one or more heating elements 112, 114, 116, 118. The reference position may alternatively comprise a position of the one or more position sensors 138, 140.
[0032] Once the controller 156 has obtained or determined the position information, the controller 156 may control the heat output from the one or more heating elements 112, 114, 116, 118 accordingly. For example, in Figure 1 the food item 134 is positioned in or adjacent the lower portion 110 of the oven compartment 104. Accordingly, the controller 156 may control the heating element 112 to emit heat at a higher temperature than has been set by a user, to account for the heat loss over the distance between the heating element 112 and the food 134. The controller 156 may control the heating element 114 to emit heat at, or in some examples below, a temperature set by a user to account for the proximity of the food 134 to the heating element 114. Therefore it will be understood that where there are two or more heating elements 112, 114, 116 and 118, and where the food item to be heated is determined to be closer to one of those heating elements than the other heating element, the controller 156 is configured to cause a heat output from the heating element which is closest to the food item to be less than a heat output from the heating element which is further away from the food item. Or in other words, the one or more heating elements 112, 114, 116 and 118 may comprise a first heating element and a second element, and in response to determining that the food item to be heated is closer to the second heating element than the first heating element, the controller is configured to cause the first heating element to emit heat at a first temperature and to control the second heating element to emit heat at a second temperature, the first temperature being higher than the second temperature.
[0033] In the example of Figure 1 it can also be seen that the food item 134 is closer to the heating element 118 on side 109, than heating element 116 on side 107. Therefore, in such an example the controller 156 may cause a heat output of the heating element 116 to be greater than a heat output of heating element 118.
[0034] In some examples the controller may adjust the heat output of the one or more heating elements 112, 114, 116 and 118 in real-time e.g. during cooking. For example, a user may move the food item 134 during a cooking cycle. For example the user may move the shelf 120 from the lower portion 110 to the middle portion 108 or upper portion 106 of the compartment 104, or vice versa. Likewise, a user may move the item 134 from left to right, and/or back and forth, in the compartment 104. The controller 156, using information received from the one or more position sensors 138, 140 can then accordingly adjust the heat output of the one or more heating elements 112, 114, 116 and 118, as required. In some examples, the size or shape of the food item 134 may alter during cooking. For example, where the food item 134 is bread, a cake or souffle or the like, then the food item may rise and/or expand outwardly during cooking. The controller 156, using information received from the one or more position sensors 138, 140 can then accordingly adjust the heat output of the one or more heating elements 112, 114, 116 and 118 as required, to account for this changing size and/or shape of the food item 134.
[0035] In some examples the oven 100 is part of a larger cooking appliance. For example the oven 100 may be part of a cooker that comprises further features such as a stove-top or hob.
[0036] An example is now schematically described with respect to Figure 2. Features in common with Figure 1 are referenced with like numerals, albeit 100 series higher (e.g. heating element 112 is referenced as heating element 212). Features from the examples of Figure 1 and Figure 2 may be combined in any way, unless explained specifically to the contrary. Oven 200 comprises an upper heating element 212 and a lower heating element 214. Food to be heated is schematically shown at 234, supported on shelf 220. A position sensor is shown at 238, and a controller is schematically shown at 256. In this example the shelf 220 is positioned a distance d1 from top surface 205 of the compartment 204. The shelf 220 is positioned a distance d2 from bottom surface 211 of the compartment 204. Distance d1 is greater than distance d2. The controller 256 may calculate d1 and d2 using information from position sensor 238, or indeed two or more such position sensors. As described above, the controller may then control the heat output of heating elements 212 and 214 based on the distance information d1 and d2.
[0037] As mentioned above, a user may set an oven temperature via a user interface 152 of the oven. For example a user may set an oven temperature of 180°C, where the user has determined that that is an appropriate cooking temperature for a food item to be cooked. A temperature set by a user may be considered a set temperature, or a predetermined temperature, or a target temperature to be experienced by or subjected to the food to be heated 234. The set temperature may be referenced T. The controller may set a delta value, ΔT, being an amount by which a temperature of a heating element is to vary from the set temperature T. ΔT can be added to or subtracted from T. For example, ΔT can be added to or subtracted from T based on a distance of a heating element from the food item to be heated. In some examples a ΔT value is independently configurable for each heating element.
[0038] By way of example only and with reference to Figure 2, a user sets a cooking temperature T of 180°C, for example via user interface 152 shown in Figure 1. Controller 256 assigns a ΔT value for each heating element 212 and 214, using position information received from position sensor 238. For example, to account for the fact that the food item to be heated 234 is relatively far from the heating element 212, the controller may assign a ΔT value of +20°C (for example) to the heating element 212. Therefore heating element 212 is controlled by controller 256 to operate at a temperature of 200°C, in this example. To account for the fact that the food item to be heated 234 is relatively close to the heating element 214, the controller may assign a ΔT value of -10°C (for example) to the heating element 214. Therefore the heating element is controlled by controller 256 to operate at a temperature of 170°C, in this example. In some examples the ΔT value assigned to a heating element may be 0°C. For example, and with reference to Figure 2, when a user sets a cooking temperature of 180°C then the heating element 214 may be assigned a ΔT value of 0°C, because that heating element is relatively close to the item to be heated 234, and therefore the controller may determine that there is likely to be little or no temperature loss across that distance.
[0039] Figure 3 is a graph showing how a ΔT value may be added to or subtracted from a temperature Tset, set by a user. The dashed line represents Tset. A first curve, curve A represents a temperature profile of a heating element which is controlled so that once in its steady state it emits a temperature at a temperature above Tset i.e. Tset + ΔT. Referring back to the example of Figure 2, such a curve may be indicative of the temperature profile of heating element 212. A second curve, curve B represents a temperature profile of a heating element which is controlled so that once in its steady state it emits a temperature at a temperature below Tset i.e. Tset - ΔT. Referring back to the example of Figure 2, such a curve may be indicative of the temperature profile of heating element 214. In some examples it may be considered that a value ΔT applied to a heating element is proportional to a distance of that heating element from an item of food to be heated.
[0040] According to some examples, it may be considered that the controller 156 is configured to heat one or more heating elements of the oven to a temperature dependent on a distance of the one or more heating elements from an item of food to be heated in the oven. In some examples it may be considered that a controlled temperature of one or more heating elements in the oven is proportional to a distance of the one or more heating elements to an item of food to be heated.
[0041] According to some examples, the one or more heating elements are activated only once the position information of the food to be heated has been obtained. In other words the controller 156 may be configured to delay heating of the one or more heating elements until the position information of the food item has been obtained. For example a user may turn the oven on and set a temperature of 200°C prior to placing the food in the oven. According to some examples, the controller 156 will activate the one or more heating elements 112, 114, 116 and 118 (i.e. start heating the one or more heating elements) only once the food has been placed in the oven and the position information of the food has been obtained. In some examples the controller 156 will activate the one or more heating elements 112, 114, 116 and 118 only once the food has been placed in the oven and the position information of the food has been obtained, and it is detected that the door 146 of the oven has been closed. Detecting that the door 146 is closed may, for example, be carried out by the controller 156 receiving a signal from a switch indicating that the door 146 has been closed. Such examples may reduce potential heat wastage and/or reduce the chances of overheating and/or underheating the food or portions of the food.
[0044] At S2, a user places an item of food to be heated and/or cooked in to a compartment of the oven. The user then closes the door of the oven.
[0046] Then, at S4 the controller controls a temperature output of one or more heating elements of the oven based at least in part on the obtained position information of the food item.
[0047] It will be understood that the processor or processing system or circuitry referred to herein may in practice be provided by a single chip or integrated circuit or plural chips or integrated circuits, optionally provided as a chipset, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), digital signal processor (DSP), graphics processing units (GPUs), etc. The chip or chips may comprise circuitry (as well as possibly firmware) for embodying at least one or more of a data processor or processors, a digital signal processor or processors, baseband circuitry and radio frequency circuitry, which are configurable so as to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments. In this regard, the exemplary embodiments may be implemented at least in part by computer software stored in (non-transitory) memory and executable by the processor, or by hardware, or by a combination of tangibly stored software and hardware (and tangibly stored firmware).
[0048] Reference is made herein to data storage, such as memory, for storing data. This may be provided by a single device or by plural devices. Suitable devices include for example a hard disk and non-volatile semiconductor memory.
[0049] Although at least some aspects of the embodiments described herein with reference to the drawings comprise computer processes performed in processing systems or processors, the invention also extends to computer programs, particularly computer programs on or in a carrier, adapted for putting the invention into practice. The program may be in the form of non-transitory source code, object code, a code intermediate source and object code such as in partially compiled form, or in any other non-transitory form suitable for use in the implementation of processes according to the invention. The carrier may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. For example, the carrier may comprise a storage medium, such as a solid-state drive (SSD) or other semiconductor-based RAM; a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a semiconductor ROM; a magnetic recording medium, for example a floppy disk or hard disk; optical memory devices in general; etc.
[0050] The examples described herein are to be understood as illustrative examples of embodiments of the invention. Further embodiments and examples are envisaged. Any feature described in relation to any one example or embodiment may be used alone or in combination with other features. In addition, any feature described in relation to any one example or embodiment may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the examples or embodiments, or any combination of any other of the examples or embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described herein may also be employed within the scope of the invention, which is defined in the claims.
1. An oven for heating food comprising:
a controller;
one or more heating elements;
one or more position sensors constructed and arranged to obtain position information of a food item to be heated in the oven by the one or more heating elements; and
the controller configured to receive the position information from the one or more position sensors, and to control a temperature output of the one or more heating elements based at least in part on the position information.
2. An oven according to claim 1, the oven comprising a shelf for supporting the food
item to be heated, the shelf being movable between different positions in the oven,
the one or more position sensors constructed and arranged to obtain the position information
of the food item by sensing position information of the shelf.
3. An oven according to claim 1, the one or more position sensors constructed and arranged
to obtain the position information of the food item by directly sensing a position
of the food item.
4. An oven according to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising two or more heating elements,
the two or more heating elements comprising a first heating element and a second heating
element.
5. An oven according to claim 4, the two or more heating elements comprising any two
or more of: a top heating element; a bottom heating element; a side heating element;
a rear heating element.
6. An oven according to claim 4 or claim 5, the controller configured to, in response
to determining that the food item to be heated is closer to the second heating element
than the first heating element, cause the first heating element to emit heat at a
first temperature and to cause the second heating element to emit heat at a second
temperature, the first temperature being higher than the second temperature.
7. An oven according to any of claims 1 to 6, the controller configured to adjust a temperature
of the one or more heating elements from a temperature set by a user.
8. An oven according to any of claims 1 to 7, the controller configured to delay heating
of the one or more heating elements until the position information of the food item
has been obtained.
9. An oven according to any of claims 1 to 8, the one or more position sensors comprising
any one of: an infra-red sensor; an ultrasound sensor; a laser.
10. An oven according to any of claims 1 to 9, comprising one or more temperature sensors
for sensing a temperature at one or more respective locations of the oven.
11. A method of operating an oven for heating a food item in the oven, comprising:
obtaining position information of a food item to be heated in the oven from one or more position sensors; and
controlling a temperature output of the one or more heating elements based at least in part on the obtained position information of the food item.
12. A method according to claim 11, comprising obtaining the position information of the
food item to be heated by obtaining position information of a shelf supporting the
food item.
13. A method according to claim 11, comprising obtaining the position information of the
food item to be heated by directly obtaining position information of the food item.
14. A method according to any of claims 11 to 13, the one or more heating elements comprising
a first heating element and a second heating element, and in response to determining
that the food item to be heated is closer to the second heating element than the first
heating element, controlling the first heating element to emit heat at a first temperature
and controlling the second heating element to emit heat at a second temperature, the
first temperature being higher than the second temperature.
15. A method according to any of claims 11 to 14, comprising delaying heating of the one
or more heating elements until the position information of the food item has been
obtained.