Cooking devices and components thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking devices face challenges in protecting sensor connections from external forces, leading to strain and potential damage when temperature probes are inserted, which can affect the accuracy and reliability of temperature monitoring during cooking processes.
Innovation Solution
A cooking system design featuring a housing with a sensor port and a sensor assembly that includes a connector housing with projections to prevent rotation, ensuring the cable and probe are aligned correctly, reducing stress on the electrical connection and allowing only the durable cable and probe to be exposed to heat and air movement within the cooking volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature probe is inserted into the cooking chamber, then temperature monitoring capability is improved, but strain on the electrical connection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is divided into separate functional components: a connector housing that interfaces with the sensor port, a cable that transmits signals, and a probe that measures temperature. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while reducing stress on the electrical connection points.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector housing acts as an intermediary component between the probe and the main housing. It provides a robust mechanical interface that protects the electrical connection from strain caused by probe insertion and removal, while still allowing the probe to be positioned correctly for accurate temperature measurement.
2Ease of operation
If the connector housing is allowed to rotate, then ease of insertion is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector housing incorporates asymmetric features including a projection that fits into a channel and a contacting surface that interfaces with the housing. These asymmetric elements prevent rotation of the connector housing once inserted, ensuring the cable and probe are positioned at the correct angle for accurate temperature measurement while still allowing straightforward insertion along the intended axis.
3Temperature
If the cable is exposed to high heat and air movement, then temperature sensing range is improved, but cable durability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector housing extracts and isolates the cable from the harsh cooking environment. The cable remains protected within the housing structure, only exposed to necessary程度的 heat and air movement to perform its function, while the robust housing protects it from excessive thermal stress and mechanical damage, maintaining both sensing capability and durability.
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 effectively prevents damage to the connector housing and sensor port during insertion and removal, maintaining the accuracy of temperature measurements and reducing strain on electrical connections, thereby enhancing the reliability of the cooking system.
Implementation Method 1
a probe arranged at a distal end of the cable and configured to be positioned within the internal compartment for measuring a temperature therein
Data Source
AI summary
Cooking devices, cooking systems, and sensor assemblies for use therewith are provided. In one embodiment, a cooking system is provided and includes a housing, at least one cooking container, and a sensor assembly. The housing can have a sensor port formed in an exterior surface thereof for operably coupling to a connector housing on a sensor assembly. The cooking system can further include a through-passage formed between the housing and the cooking container for receiving a cable extending from the connector housing on the sensor assembly to allow a probe coupled to a distal end of the cable to be positioned within the cooking container for measuring a temperature. In certain exemplary embodiments, the sensor port and connector housing can include features that prevent rotation of the connector housing relative to the sensor port.