Cooking Plate Heating Elements With Printed Circuit Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking apparatuses have suboptimal heat exchange surfaces between electric heating elements and cooking plates, leading to inefficient heating, high electrical consumption, and frequent maintenance due to thermal stresses.
Innovation Solution
The cooking apparatus features electric heating elements with printed circuits and a mechanical pressure distribution and thermal insulation panel, ensuring a homogeneous heat exchange surface and reducing electrical consumption by optimizing temperature uniformity and reducing thermal inertia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If armoured electric heating elements of circular or triangular section are used, then the heating element can be easily manufactured, but the heat exchange surface is linear and not homogeneous
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is divided into multiple independent heating zones (e.g., 4 zones) arranged in a matrix pattern on the cooking plate surface. Each zone can be independently controlled and optimized, transforming a single linear heating element into multiple distributed heating points that provide homogeneous heat distribution across the cooking surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element configuration transitions from a one-dimensional linear arrangement (circular or triangular section) to a two-dimensional matrix distribution across the cooking plate surface. This dimensional change allows heat to be exchanged uniformly across the entire cooking area rather than along a linear path.
2Temperature
If the entire area of the cooking plate is heated, then the cooking plate can be heated uniformly, but the electrical consumption is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
Different zones of the cooking plate are equipped with independently controllable heating elements. The control system can activate only the specific zones where cooking is required, rather than heating the entire plate uniformly. This localized heating approach maintains temperature uniformity in the active cooking zones while significantly reducing overall electrical consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of heating the entire cooking plate area, the system applies heating action only to the necessary partial areas where food is placed. The control system detects or receives input about cooking locations and activates corresponding heating zones, performing just enough heating action required for the actual cooking needs.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid assembly systems are used to connect the heating element to the cooking plate, then the structure is stable, but frequent maintenance is required due to thermal stress expansion and compression
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly system transitions from a rigid fixed connection to a dynamic flexible connection that can accommodate thermal expansion and compression. The heating element is mounted on elastic elements (springs) that allow the heating element to move slightly with thermal cycles, preventing stress buildup and maintaining stable contact without requiring frequent maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
Elastic elements (springs) are introduced as flexible components in the assembly system between the heating element and the cooking plate support structure. These flexible elements absorb thermal stress through elastic deformation, allowing the rigid heating element to remain in stable contact with the cooking plate while accommodating dimensional changes during heating cycles.
4Temperature
If thermal diffusers are used to convey heating to the cooking zones, then the heat distribution can be improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal diffuser component is removed from the system. Instead of using a separate diffuser element to distribute heat, the heating function is directly integrated into the cooking plate surface through multiple independently controlled heating zones. This extraction of the diffuser function simplifies the device structure while maintaining effective heat distribution through the matrix arrangement of heating elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating and heat distribution functions are merged into a single integrated system. The heating elements are directly mounted on the cooking plate surface in a matrix pattern, combining the heat generation and heat distribution functions into one component system, eliminating the need for separate thermal diffusers.
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 achieves uniform temperature distribution on the cooking plate, reduces electrical consumption, and decreases maintenance needs by optimizing heat exchange and thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
electric heating elements of the resistive type for heating said plate
Implementation Method 2
the heat generated by them is transmitted to the upper side by conduction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Cooking apparatus (10) comprising a cooking plate (12) for cooking foods of various kinds, by positioning them directly in contact therewith and at least one pair of electric heating elements (20) of the resistive type, provided with a printed circuit (21).