Domestic appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking appliance temperature measurement systems face inaccuracies due to differences in properties between measurement points, leading to suboptimal measurement results.
Innovation Solution
A sensor unit with a beam splitter unit that divides radiation from a measuring point into two partial beams, detected by different light sensors, using an optical fiber for guiding radiation and a filter unit to ensure similar spectra, allowing for improved temperature determination by evaluating the ratio of signals from the sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radiation from a measuring point is measured using a single sensor, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccuracies from differing measurement point properties
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation from a single measuring point is divided into multiple partial beams using a beam splitter unit, with each partial beam directed to a separate light sensor. This segmentation allows simultaneous measurement of multiple radiation parameters (e.g., different wavelength ranges) from the same measuring point, improving temperature measurement accuracy without requiring multiple physical measuring points.
Solution Approach 2:
A beam splitter unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the measuring point and the light sensors. This beam splitter divides the incoming radiation into multiple partial beams that can be detected by different sensors, enabling precise temperature determination through ratio evaluation while maintaining a single measuring point location.
2Measurement precision
If multiple measuring points are used to compensate for property differences, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and optical paths
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple measuring points, the invention segments the radiation from a single measuring point into multiple partial beams. Each partial beam carries information about the same measuring point but can be detected by different light sensors, achieving the benefits of multiple measurements without the complexity of multiple measuring points.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from spatial diversity (multiple measuring points) to spectral/divisional diversity (multiple partial beams from beam splitting). By dividing the radiation in the optical path rather than using multiple physical locations, the system achieves improved measurement precision while reducing the number of required measuring points to one.
3Measurement precision
If the radiation is divided into partial beams with different spectra, then the temperature determination can be improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure spectral similarity
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitter unit is designed to create partial beams with similar spectra, ensuring that the radiation characteristics remain consistent across different detected beams. This homogeneity in spectral properties reduces the manufacturing precision requirements while still enabling accurate temperature determination through ratio evaluation of the detected signals.
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 approach enhances measurement accuracy by minimizing inaccuracies caused by differing measurement point properties and allows for precise temperature determination in cooking appliances.
Implementation Method 1
at least one beam splitter unit (28), which is provided to split radiation (S) emanating from a measuring point (30) into at least two partial beams (T1, T2)
Implementation Method 2
using an optical fiber for guiding radiation
Implementation Method 3
a filter unit to ensure similar spectra
Implementation Method 4
the light sensor is intended to measure an intensity of incident infrared radiation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The device has a sensing unit (20) comprising two light sensors (24, 26), and a beam splitter unit (28) dividing outgoing radiation (S) into two partial beams (T1, T2) by a measuring point (30). The partial beams are provided in addition with the light sensors to-be-detected. The sensor unit comprises a light guide unit (32) for directing light from the measuring point to the beam splitting unit. The light guide unit is formed by an optical fiber (33). The sensing unit comprises a filter unit (34) arranged between the beam splitter unit and the light sensors. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a domestic appliance device.