Continuous Cooktop With Independent Temperature Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric cooking apparatuses lack the ability to independently control temperature zones across a continuous cooking surface, resulting in uniform heating that may not suit diverse cooking needs.

Innovation Solution

An electric cooking apparatus with a substantially continuous cooking surface and multiple independently controllable temperature zones, achieved through a configuration of heating elements and temperature controllers that allow separate control of each zone, enabling different regions to be maintained at distinct temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate heating elements are used to provide different temperature zones, then temperature control flexibility is improved, but the cooking surface becomes discontinuous with unheated spaces between elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control flexibilityVSAvoidcooking surface continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple heating elements into a single continuous cooking surface, eliminating the unheated spaces between separate elements while maintaining independent temperature zones through separate control circuits for different regions of the same surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Shape

If a single heating element is used to maintain a continuous cooking surface, then cooking surface continuity is improved, but temperature control flexibility deteriorates due to uniform heating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking surface continuityVSAvoidtemperature control flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the single continuous heating element into multiple independently controllable zones, allowing different regions to be controlled at different temperatures while maintaining the visual and structural continuity of the cooking surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If heating elements are configured for uniform temperature across the surface, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but cooking versatility deteriorates due to inability to meet diverse cooking requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating element configuration simplicityVSAvoidcooking versatility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by enabling different regions of the heating element to operate at different temperature levels, allowing optimization for specific cooking tasks in different zones while maintaining a uniform continuous structure for manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 allows for precise temperature control across the cooking surface, enhancing cooking flexibility and efficiency by enabling different regions to be heated to specific temperatures, thereby accommodating various cooking methods and recipes.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of electrical heating elements disposed under the substantially continuous cooking surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

temperature sensors providing feedback for precise temperature maintenance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermocouple

Data Source

PatentUS7825353B2Electric cooking apparatus

Publication Date: 2010.11.02 EVO AMERICA LLC

AI summary

Various embodiments of an electrical cooking apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electrical cooking apparatus includes a substantially continuous cooking surface, a plurality of electrical heating elements disposed under the substantially continuous cooking surface, and at least two temperature controllers configured to allow independent control of temperatures of at least two of the plurality of heating elements.