Adapting Element for Cooking Chamber Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooking appliances experience reduced heating efficiency due to thermal expansion of cooking chamber elements, leading to varying spacings between heating units and chamber elements, which results in inefficient heat transfer and increased energy costs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an adapting element that adjusts its surface shape to match the changing surface of the cooking chamber element during thermal expansion, maintaining a consistent spacing with the heating unit to ensure efficient heat transfer and uniform heating distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the cooking chamber element is heated, then the heating function is achieved, but the spacing between the heating unit and cooking chamber element varies due to thermal expansion, reducing heating efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The heating unit is designed with a flexible support structure that allows it to dynamically adjust its position and orientation in response to thermal expansion of the cooking chamber element. This dynamic adaptation maintains optimal spacing and alignment between the heating unit and cooking chamber element throughout the heating process, preventing energy loss while achieving the required heating temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes thermal expansion of the support structure components to automatically adjust the spacing parameters between the heating unit and cooking chamber element. By designing the support structure with materials and geometries that expand predictably with temperature, the system maintains consistent optimal spacing without active control, resolving the contradiction between achieving high temperature and maintaining heating efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the spacing between heating unit and cooking chamber element varies, then thermal expansion is accommodated, but heat transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible support structure enables the heating unit to dynamically track the thermal expansion of the cooking chamber element, maintaining constant optimal spacing. This dynamic adaptation ensures that heat transfer efficiency is preserved while fully accommodating thermal expansion, as the support structure continuously adjusts to keep the heating unit in the optimal position relative to the expanding chamber element.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid heating unit is used, then structural stability is maintained, but it cannot adapt to the changing surface shape of the cooking chamber element during thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure transitions from a rigid to a flexible design that allows controlled deformation. This flexible structure maintains structural stability through its material properties and geometric design while simultaneously adapting to the changing surface shape of the cooking chamber element during thermal expansion, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention deliberately incorporates thermal expansion into the support structure design, using materials and geometries that expand with temperature to match and accommodate the thermal expansion of the cooking chamber element. This allows the heating unit to maintain both structural stability and adaptability to surface shape changes throughout the heating cycle.
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
This solution enhances heating efficiency, reduces energy costs, and achieves more uniform heat distribution within the cooking chamber by maintaining a consistent spacing between the heating unit and cooking chamber element, minimizing heat loss outside the chamber.
Implementation Method 1
at least one cooking chamber element which at least partially bounds the cooking chamber and has at least one part region whose surface shape changes, in the heating operating state, by thermal expansion of the cooking chamber element
Implementation Method 2
at least one heating unit having at least one heating element which, in at least one heating operating state, is provided for heating a cooking chamber
Implementation Method 3
heating element which, in at least one heating operating state, is provided for heating a cooking chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking appliance device includes a heating unit having a heating element for heating a cooking chamber in a heating operating state, and a cooking chamber element configured to at least partially bound the cooking chamber. The cooking chamber element has a part region with a surface shape which changes in the heating operating state in response to a thermal expansion of the cooking chamber element. The heating unit includes an adapting element which is arranged at least in part on the cooking chamber element and has in facing relation to the part region a surface which adapts in the heating operating state to the surface shape of the part region.