Cooking appliance and heating arrangement therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current kitchen appliances with heating elements often rely on a single temperature sensor and mechanical thermal cutouts, which can lead to inadequate thermal transfer and uneven heating in separate bowl and heating element setups, requiring additional thermal mass for effective heat distribution.
Innovation Solution
A heating arrangement featuring a heating element, a container with integral thermal mass, and a cooling element that directly cools both the heating element and container, with a controller managing the heating and cooling based on temperature differences between the two, ensuring precise temperature control and efficient heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single temperature sensor and mechanical thermal cutouts are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the temperature control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple temperature sensors (heating element temperature sensor and container temperature sensor) with electronic control into an integrated temperature management system. This merging approach enables precise temperature control by continuously monitoring both the heating element and container temperatures, resolving the contradiction between system complexity and control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where temperature sensors continuously monitor the heating element and container temperatures, and the controller adjusts the heating element operation based on temperature differences. This feedback mechanism achieves precise temperature control while managing system complexity through intelligent automation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate bowl and heating element are used, then the adaptability is improved, but the thermal transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal mass as an intermediary between the heating element and the container. This thermal mass absorbs and stores heat from the heating element, then transfers it to the container, improving thermal transfer efficiency while maintaining the benefits of separate heating element and container design for adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the system by incorporating a thermal mass with specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity properties. This parameter change enables efficient heat transfer from the heating element through the thermal mass to the container, resolving the energy loss issue while preserving design flexibility.
3Loss of energy
If additional thermal mass is added to ensure adequate thermal transfer, then the thermal transfer efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal mass with the container structure, making them an integrated component rather than separate parts. This combining approach improves thermal transfer efficiency by ensuring adequate thermal mass while avoiding the complexity of adding separate thermal mass components, as the container itself serves as the thermal mass carrier.
4Productivity
If heating element operates at high temperature, then the heating speed is improved, but the safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control using temperature sensors on both the heating element and container. The controller continuously monitors temperature differences and adjusts the heating element operation accordingly, enabling fast heating when needed while automatically preventing unsafe temperature conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between heating speed and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using the cooling element to preemptively cool the heating element and container when temperature differences indicate potential safety risks. This preventive cooling action counteracts excessive heat buildup before it can create harmful conditions, allowing high-temperature operation for speed while maintaining safety.
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 improved thermal management, ensuring even heating and cooling, reducing thermal overshoot, and allowing for precise temperature control within the container, enhancing cooking performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling element configured to directly cool both the heating element and the container when the container is received in the container receiving member
Implementation Method 2
a heating element; a container receiving member
Data Source
AI summary
A heating arrangement for a cooking appliance comprises a heating element, a container, a container receiving member, and a cooling element configured to directly cool both the heating element and the container when the container is received in the container receiving member.