Auto-Calibrating Ignition for Digital Gas Cooking Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Determining the optimum gas flow for automatic ignition in digital gas cooking appliances is challenging due to varying factors like burner size, gas pressure, and type, leading to ignition failures or delays, causing user dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A digital gas cooking appliance with a controller that performs a calibration process by conducting multiple ignition sequences at different valve positions to determine the optimum valve position for minimizing ignition duration, using a flame detector to monitor ignition and adjust gas flow accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed valve position is used for ignition, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of ignition is worsened due to varying gas pressure and burner conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The valve position is changed from fixed to dynamic, allowing the system to automatically adjust the valve position based on real-time detection of ignition conditions. The controller modifies the valve position during the ignition process to optimize gas flow and ensure reliable ignition across varying operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback mechanism is implemented where the controller monitors ignition progress and uses this information to adjust the valve position. The system detects whether ignition is occurring properly and dynamically modifies gas flow accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that improves ignition reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple ignition sequences are performed during calibration, then the manufacturing precision of ignition timing is improved, but the loss of time during calibration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration process is performed in advance during manufacturing or initial setup, so that the optimal valve positions for different ignition conditions are determined beforehand. This preliminary calibration stores reference data that enables fast, accurate ignition control during normal operation without requiring multiple sequences each time the appliance is used.
3Speed
If the gas flow rate is increased during ignition, then the speed of ignition is improved, but the harmful factors increase due to unburned gas accumulation and safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The gas flow rate is dynamically adjusted during the ignition process rather than maintained at a constant high level. The system starts with a controlled gas flow, increases it as ignition progresses, and modulates it based on real-time detection, thereby achieving fast ignition while preventing dangerous gas accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ignition process uses periodic modulation of gas flow in conjunction with ignitor activation. Gas is supplied in controlled pulses or sequences that synchronize with ignitor operation, ensuring that gas is burned as it is released rather than accumulating, thus maintaining fast ignition speed while eliminating safety hazards.
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 solution optimizes the ignition process by minimizing ignition duration and ensuring reliable ignition, reducing user frustration and improving appliance performance across varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
detection of the flame of the gas cooking element by the flame detector
Implementation Method 2
activate an electronically-controlled ignitor once that gas flow has been initiated
Implementation Method 3
an electromechanical valve coupled with the gas cooking element to regulate a gas flow rate thereto
Implementation Method 4
a gas cooking element to provide a cooking surface to cook food
Data Source
AI summary
A digital gas cooking appliance is disclosed. The digital gas cooking appliance has the ability of self-initiating an automatic calibration process to determine an optimum valve position to be used for an electromechanical valve when igniting a gas cooking element by performing a plurality of ignition sequences for the gas cooking element at a plurality of respective valve positions of the electromechanical valve. During each of the plurality of ignition sequences, a respective ignition duration between a start of the respective ignition sequence when an igniter is active and the electromechanical valve is open, and a flame is detected by a flame detector, may be determined.