Arc-Track Plane Heater Layout for High-Temperature Insulation Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric stoves face challenges in efficiently heating limited areas to high temperatures while maintaining insulation gaps, leading to potential heat loss and contamination due to incomplete combustion in gas stoves and prolonged cooking times in resistive electric stoves.

Innovation Solution

An electric heater with a plane heating element featuring arc-shaped tracks of varying lengths and centers of curvature, strategically arranged to create differential insulation gaps, ensuring efficient heat distribution and preventing dielectric breakdown.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If arc-shaped tracks are arranged at constant gap to closely arrange hot wire in limited area, then area utilization is improved, but insulation gap cannot be secured due to voltage decrease from start point to end point

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearea utilizationVSAvoidinsulation gap
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the gap between adjacent tracks at different positions along the track length. Specifically, the gap is made larger near the start point and end point where voltage is higher, and smaller in the middle section where voltage is lower. This non-uniform gap distribution ensures adequate insulation throughout the track while maximizing area utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameter of the track arrangement by transitioning from constant gap to variable gap between adjacent tracks. The gap distance is adjusted as a function of position along the track, with the gap being larger at regions of higher electric potential difference and smaller at regions of lower potential difference, thereby optimizing both insulation and space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If heating element heats limited area at high temperature to shorten cooking time, then productivity is improved, but heat loss and contamination increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking timeVSAvoidheat loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is segmented into multiple independent tracks that can be selectively activated. Instead of heating a large area uniformly, the system divides the heating zone into discrete segments (tracks) and activates only the necessary portions, thereby reducing heat loss to surrounding areas while maintaining high temperature in the targeted cooking zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by activating only the specific tracks needed for the current cooking task rather than operating all tracks simultaneously. This allows the system to concentrate heating power precisely where needed, shortening cooking time for the specific area while minimizing unnecessary heat generation and energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

The optimized heating element design allows for uniform heating of limited areas at high temperatures, reducing cooking time and minimizing heat loss and contamination, while maintaining effective insulation gaps.

Implementation Method 1

a resistive electric stove which can heat a top surface of the stove using a hot wire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

an inductive electric stove which can heat a container by a magnetic field generated by a magnetic induction method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11397007B2Electric heater
Publication Date: 2022.07.26 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • US11397007B2 patent drawing
  • US11397007B2 patent drawing
  • US11397007B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An electric heater includes a substrate, and a plane heating element that is located at a surface of the substrate and that includes a pattern portion having a start point and an end point that are connected to each other. The pattern portion includes a plurality of tracks that are spaced apart from one another, that have an arc shape, and that are arranged at positions from an inner side of the pattern portion to an outer side of the pattern portion, where lengths of the plurality of tracks increase from the inner side to the outer side. The plurality of tracks include at least two tracks that are arranged respectively about a first center of curvature and a second center of curvature that is different from the first center of curvature.