Appliance with electronically-controlled gas flow to burners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas-powered cooking appliances with mechanically-adjustable valves offer limited precision in controlling heat output due to restricted knob placement and mechanical connection requirements, necessitating improved control mechanisms for gas flow to burners.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating solenoid valves and fuel injectors electronically controlled by a controller to pulse gas flow at varying rates, combining base and supplemental gas flows to achieve precise heat output adjustments, allowing for more intuitive burner control placement and enhanced precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanically-adjustable valves with manual knobs are used to control gas flow to burners, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the precision of heat output control is limited and knob placement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical valve and manual knob system with an electronically-controlled solenoid valve system. The controller receives user input and electronically actuates the solenoid valve to precisely regulate gas flow rates, eliminating the need for mechanical connection between control interface and valve mechanism. This substitution enables precise digital control of heat output while freeing control placement from mechanical constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary between the user interface and the gas flow control mechanism. The controller processes user commands and translates them into precise solenoid valve actuation signals, enabling accurate heat output control without direct mechanical linkage. This intermediary layer decouples the control interface from the valve mechanism, allowing flexible placement of controls.
2Ease of operation
If manually rotatable knobs are used for burner control, then the device complexity is low, but the placement locations for knobs are restricted due to mechanical connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical knob-and-valve linkage system with an electronic control system using solenoid valves. This eliminates the need for physical mechanical connections between control elements and gas flow regulation mechanisms, allowing control interfaces to be placed anywhere on the appliance surface without mechanical constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the control function from the gas flow regulation function. The controller and solenoid valve are positioned independently, with the controller being electronically coupled to the valve rather than mechanically connected. This segmentation allows the control interface to be optimally positioned for user accessibility while the valve is positioned for optimal gas flow control.
3Manufacturing precision
If mechanically-adjustable valves are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the precision in control of heat output is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces precision-mechanical valve adjustment mechanisms with electronically-controlled solenoid valves actuated by a controller. This electronic control system achieves superior precision in gas flow regulation through digital signal control, while the solenoid valve itself is a standardized component that simplifies manufacturing compared to custom precision mechanical valve assemblies.
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 provides precise control over heat output, allowing for a wider range of heat settings and more flexible burner control placement, improving user experience and efficiency in cooking applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first solenoid valve positioned within the first gas path. The controller is electronically coupled with the first solenoid valve for controlling a supplemental flow of gas through the first gas path to the first heating element
Implementation Method 2
a first fuel injector positioned within the first gas path. A controller is electronically coupled with the first fuel injector for controlling a flow of gas through the first gas path to the first heating element
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance includes a first gas-burning heating element, a first gas path extending from an inlet to the first heating element, and a first solenoid valve positioned within the first gas path. The appliance further includes a second gas path extending from upstream of the first solenoid valve to the first heating element and supplying a base gas flow to the first heating element. A controller is electronically coupled with the first solenoid valve for controlling a supplemental flow of gas through the first gas path to the first heating element such that the supplemental gas flow combines with the base gas flow to achieve a total gas flow. The controller controls the supplemental flow to adjust the total gas flow by pulsing the first solenoid valve at a first rate corresponding to a desired rate of the total gas flow to the first heating element.