WO2017188909A1

WO2017188909A1 - Fuzzy logic algorithm based oven temperature control system

Info

Publication number: WO2017188909A1
Application number: PCT/TR2017/050164
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sabri Haluk GOKMEN
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-04-28
Filing date: 2017-04-27
Publication date: 2017-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2018-10-28

Abstract

The invention relates to a system which is developed for use in the temperature control of ovens and which controls the oven temperature by means of a fuzzy control algorithm to keep the oven temperature at the level set by the user. In particular, the invention relates to a method for controlling the temperature in an oven by means of a microprocessor using a fuzzy logic algorithm and by using a time-adjusted phase control method., which enables precise temperature control of the oven to be used for critical heat treatments such as fermentation and pasteurization with a temperature variation around the set point up to +/-1°C.

Description

FUZZY LOGIC ALGORITHM BASED

OVEN TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a system which is developed for use in the temperature control of ovens and which controls the owen temperature internally by means of a fuzzy control algorithm to keep the owen temperature at the level set by the user.

In particular, the invention relates to a method for controlling the temperature in an oven, by a microprocessor based system, using a fuzzy logic algorithm and by means of a time-interleaved phase control technique, which can be used for critical heat treatment processes such as fermentation and pasteurization, by keeping the temperature variations within a range of +/- 1°C.

FORMER TECHNIQUE

In the present technique, the temperature of the ovens is controlled by the help of a thermostat and a relay which is used in the switching circuit. The operation of these circuits with electromechanical sensing principle and accuracy range of +/- 20°C makes many sensitive heat processes impossible. Especially, in processes where bacterial activity such as fermentation or pasteurisation is important, it is very critical to follow a time- sensitive heat regime. This requirement can not be achieved with the present technique.

In the state of the art, the oscillation of the oven temperature by +/- 20°C around the user-set temperature degree causes an energy loss of approximately 4% to 7%.

Due to the fact that the temperature and time se□tings are not based on a precise electronic method, it is also impossible for precise temperature control of ovens manufactured with existing technology. As a result, there is a need for a system, for solving the above mentioned problems existing in the prior art, which can reduce the temperature regulation accuracy to within +/-1°C and which enables the use of the oven in fermentation and pasteurization processes, and overcome the inadequacies of the existing solutions in this field.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

One of the most basic features of the invention is that the oven temperature keeps the value set by the user in the change band of +/-1°C in order to achieve this sensitivity, the heating elements are driven by a fuzzy logic control unit. An important feature of the invention is that it includes a control system that easily adapts itself to the thermal properties of the oven and maintains the oven temperature within a narrow temperature range, both in order to provide fast heating of the oven and to reach the target temperature value precisely, in this technique, the temperature / time function in the oven can be applied in any way that the user can specify. By means of temperature control applications like this, for example, a variety of baking programs can be applied, such as keeping a cooked food at a predetermined temperature regime for a certain period of time, then continuing cooking at the maximum temperature for a certain period of time and then keeping it at a low temperature again. Another feature of the invention is that the energy transferred to the heating unit in the oven is regulated by the phase control method using an energy switching module called triac. The triac, which switches the energy transferred to the heater, is controlled by the electronic unit which implements the fuzzy logic control algorithm.

The phase control system implemented in the present invention is different from the other control methods which are widely used in the industry and based on a variable switching phase-angle method, in this the triacs are controlled by the fuzzy logic to pass or completely cut the whole half cycle blocks of the mains voltage at periodic time slots, to ensure the flow of energy to the heating elements determined by the amount of

One feature of the invention is that the master control unit operates with the Linux operating system. In this way, the oven is easily converted into a module that can be connected to the internet. Thus, the oven has one of the most basic features of smart home systems, internet connectivity.

Another important feature of the oven, according to the invention is the system consisting of the fuzzy logic electronic control unit, the system's main control unit, the LCD user interface screen and the touch button user interface. In this way the oven achieves more features such as, high temperature control accuracy (+/- 1°C), electronic driving technique and low EMI + RFI, application ability of multiple complex temperature profiles, internet connection, remote control, downloading new programs, communicating with other household devices, compatibility with smart house concepts, higher energy efficiency terms (up to 4-7% better) and a safer system. In addition, child lock, voice warning, sending e-mail messages and so on.

In accordance with the above-mentioned objects, the present invention, which solves the problems in the existing constructions, has been developed for use in the temperature control of ovens and can be used for critical heat treatments such as fermentation and pasteurization which require electronic temperature control of the oven with a maximum temperature variation of +/- 1°C and the user can enter the oven mode, the parameters and values to be transferred to the control unit, the oven performs temperature control operations according to the entered data and the information obtained from the oven temperature sensor in order to stabilize the temperature in the oven by providing commands to raise and lower the temperature according to the information entered and the fuzzy logic electronic control unit is also used to inform the system's main control unit and the user of a problem in the oven electronic and generate a warning command in the event of an adverse situation, establishes a direct communication link between the user and the fuzzy logic electronic control unit, controls the process for the oven user to enter the program for entering and selecting the oven mode, parameters and values, includes the system main control unit, which is also used to inform the user of the status information from the fuzzy logic electronic control unit when a problem and an adverse situation is encountered, keeps the digital communication line operational for communication between the fuzzy logic electronic control unit and the system main control unit.

The fuzzy logic electronic control unit is used to control the energy sent to the fan motors and the illumination units, used for cooling the system's temperature sensitive components and the illumination needs.

The communication system used to provide the connection of the oven to the internet via the bluetooth line of a nearby PC, connected to a tablet PC and a smartphone, and the triac switch driven by the fuzzy logic electronic control circuit operating in the main control unit, the phase angle information used in the generation of the information required to determine the moment this switch to be triggered, are all integrated within the main control unit. The present invention will become a preferred product in the industry in its present state and structure. This will provide a commercial success.

The structural and characteristic features of the invention and all advantages thereof will be more clearly understood by means of the following figures and detailed description which are given by referring to these figures. For this reason, evaluation should be done taking these shapes and detailed explanation into consideration.

FIGURES WHICH WILL BE INSTRUMENTAL IN PROVIDING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE INVENTION

Figure - 1; Drawing showing the electrical schema of the oven. Figure - 2; Drawing showing the electronic driving schema of the fuzzy logic electronic control unit of the present invention. Figure · 3; Drawing illustrating the electronic distribution schema of the fuzzy logic electronic control unit of the present invention.

Figure - 4; Drawing showing the oven in perspective view.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1. System Main Control Unit

2. LCD Display User interface

3. User interface

4. Fuzzy Logic Electronic Control Unit

5. Oven Heating Elements

6. Turbo Fan Motor

7. AC Power Supply

8. Phase Angle Information

9. Triacs

10. Fan Motors

11. illumination

12. Oven Control Panel

13. Digital Communication Line

14. Oven Interior Temperature Sensor The invention shall be better understood with the attached figures in connection with these reference numbers.

DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The system shown in Figure-4 of the present invention comprises a user interface unit associated with the oven control panel (12), which is placed on the oven door; This unit comprises a user interface (3) comprising touch sensitive keys connected to the glass control panel directly and/or non-touch sensitive buttons connected to any other materia! made oven control panel (12) shown in Figure-1 and/or an LCD display user interface unit (2) and a system main control unit (1) which establishes a connection between the user interface unit (2) and the user and the fuzzy logic electronic control unit {4} which controls all heat related operations of the oven in the background, Information entered by the oven user through the user interface unit (2) in the oven control panel (12) and information about the selected oven modes or one of the built-in oven programs is processed by the system main control unit (1) is transferred to the fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4) which is located nearby the terminals of oven heating elements (5) via the digital communication line (13). The digital communication line (13) is shown in Figure-1, Figure-2, Figure-3 and Figure-4. This information is processed by the fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4) together with the temperature information from the temperature sensor (14) located inside the oven, and after the amount of energy to be transferred to the system's heating elements (5) is calculated, the energy is transferred to the heating elements (5), lighting elements (11) and fan motors (10) of Figure-3 via the triacs (9) shown in Figure-3,

The fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4) controls the electrical components in the oven while at the same time transmitting the information about this control process to the system main control unit (1) via the digital communication line (13), The system main control unit (1) informs the user of the ongoing process in the oven by transferring this information to the LCD display user interface (2).

The data stream on the digital communication line (13) responsible for exchanging information between the system main control unit (1) and the fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4) is continuously monitored by the system main control unit (1) and the fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4). if there is any interruption in the data flow, the oven is immediately brought into safe operating mode and the energy to the oven heating elements (5) is cut off.

The connection of the oven via the internet, via a biuetooth line to a nearby PC, tablet PC, smart phone or similar medium is provided via the system master control unit (1). The security requirements relating to the connection of the oven to the virtual environments are also provided by the system main control unit (1), The fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4) is connected directly to the in-the-oven temperature sensor (14) and continuously monitors and controls the temperature in the oven as a module. The unit is designed to cut the energy flow to the heating elements (5) at a time of finding a fault condition on this temperature sensor.

The system main control unit (1) informs the user through the audible warning unit and the LCD display user interface (2) located on or near the oven control panel (12), about all operational status and conditions which can occur in the oven and can be detected by the system components. In addition, with the help of the internet connection facility, the system main control unit (1) confirms this situation to the nearest service center in case of failure of the oven with the approval of the user.

The system's touch-screen LCD display user interface (2) is mounted behind a minimum 2 mm thick glass panel. This front panel glass plate is laminated from the back with a plate made of another glass plate or other material such as plexiglass or the like in order to be reinforced against mechanical and thermal pressures.

The system subject to our invention can be used as a control element of any type of oven and temperature regulating system.

Among the many programs of the system, the most critical ones are for the functions such as fermentation, pasteurization and so on, which can be used as a temperature control system in any kind of hot media where such critical temperature based programs can be applied.

In combination, the system main control unit (1) is used to integrate and flow information between the LCD display user interface (2) and the fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4) and to establish communication between the inner communication module and the internet, PC, tablet PC or smartphone and to allow reading of the touch or non-touch keys on the front panel and transfer of this information to the fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4). Another aspect of the invention is the LCD display user interface (2), which allows the user to control the oven functions via an LCD display and to be an interface between the user and the oven in any adverse situation.

A further aspect of the invention is that the user interface (3) is used to operate the touch or non-touch keys placed on the panel in front of the oven as a perception circuit and to provide information flow between these keys and the system main control unit {1} of the oven.

The most important aspect of the present invention is that the fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4) controls the temperature of the oven in the desired mode according to the information received from the user. The turbo fan motor (6), which operates in the oven boiler, controls the upper panel cooling fan motor (10) and the illumination unit (11). At the same time, the system works in conjunction with the main control unit (1) to enable the system to enter the safe mode in case of a problem.

The phase angle information (8) is used to generate the information needed to determine the moment when the triac (9) driven by the fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4) will trigger the AC voltage. The Phase Angle Information (8) can also be located within the fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4) and works integrated with the fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4).

The triacs (9) are assigned as electronic switching units which allow the AC voltage blocks to be switched and transferred to the oven heating elements (5), the lighting elements {11} and the fan motor (10) units.

The following process steps are followed during the operation of the oven in connection with this invention; programming of the oven by the user, by using the user's LCD display user interface (2) and user interface (3), control of the entered program parameters and values through the system main control unit (1) and preparation of the processing,transferring the program information, which the user has entered, to the fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4) via the digital communication line (13), which is controlled by the main control unit (1), transferring the energy via the triac (9) to the oven heating elements (5) in accordance with the information coming from the fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4), monitoring the programmed temperature regime according to the information from the oven temperature sensor (14), when the programmed temperature drops, the fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4) sends energy to the oven heating elements (5) via the triac (9), re-observing the programmed temperature level via the oven temperature sensor (14), repeat this process to complete the process in the programmed time process steps.

In the invention, energy is sent to the oven heating elements (5) in accordance with the information from the fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4) for the purpose of precise temperature control. In the same way, in order to enhance the performance of the system, a calculated amount of energy is transferred to the turbo fan motor (6) for blowing hot air to the food, the lighting system (11) and the fan motors (10) used for cooling oven's heat sensitive components.

The fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4) informs the user via the LCD display user interface (2) using the digital communication line (13) when a problem, malfunction or unwanted situation is encountered while the oven is operating.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 . The invention has been developed for use in oven temperature control applications and allows the user to set the temperature of the oven electronically at a set temperature that the user has set to allow the oven to be used for critical heat treatments such as fermentation and pasteurisation requiring precise temperature control, with a maximum of +/- 10C deviation from the set point, which features; ● in connection with; the program, the oven mode, the parameters and the values, entered by the user and then transmitted into the unit and also the data received from the oven temperature sensor (14), the temperature control operations of the oven according to the entered data and the data received from the user are carried out and compared with each other and the oven temperature is automatically increased or decreased according to the inputted information, by the fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4) is used to stabilize the temperature and generate the related warning commands in the event of a problem in the oven electronic and an adverse event, the system main control unit (1), which is used to notify the user of the problems ●

and adverse situations in the oven electronic, manage the connection of the oven to the virtual environments, processing the user entered parameters, oven modes, programs and values, and also validating such entries and establishing the connection between said fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4) and the user and also transmitting the data, ● a digital communication line (13) communicating between said fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4) and said system main control unit (1), to be characterized by their presence.

2. A fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that; controlling the energy delivered to the turbo fan motor (6) which is used to homogenously distribute hot air in the furnace and to the fan motor in order to eliminate heating problems of the electronic components, and the illuminators (11), used in the system.

3. The system main control unit {1} according to claim 1, characterized in that said system; by being integrated with the main control unit (1), the communication device being used to provide the connection of the oven with the internet, via wi-fi or the bluetooth connection of the PC or the tablet PC or the smartphone of the user.

4. The system main control unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said system; by the phase angle information (8) used in generating the information necessary for determining the instant and duration when the AC voltage is to be triggered, the triac (9) driven by the fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4) operating in the main control unit (1).

5. The invention, which has been developed for use in oven temperature control applications and allows the user to set the temperature of the oven electronically at a set temperature that the user has set to allow the oven to be used for critical heat treatments such as fermentation and pasteurisation requiring precise temperature control, is the oven system working method which can reduce the temperature variation around the set point up to a maximum of +/-1°C, featuring the following process steps;

• the user can program the oven using the LCD display user interface (2) and the user interface (3),

• control and verification of the entered program parameters and values through the system main control unit (1) and preparation of the processing,

• transferring the program information, which the user has entered, to the fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4) via the digital communication line (13), which is controlled by the main control unit (1),

• sending the energy to the oven heating elements (5) in the direction of the information coming to the fuzzy logic electronic control unit (4),

• monitoring the programmed temperature in the oven by means of the oven temperature sensor (14), ● when the programmed temperature drops, the fuzzy logic electronic control unit {4} sends more energy to the oven heating elements (5),

● re-monitoring the temperature, programmed according to the information from the oven temperature sensor (14), ● repeating this process to complete the overall heat process in the programmed time.