Sensor system for a cooking appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensor systems for cooking appliances face issues with sensor positioning stability due to shocks and vibrations, and are difficult to dismantle, leading to potential misalignment and increased maintenance efforts.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system utilizing a spring element to securely position and protect the sensor within a sensor tube, ensuring it remains fixed during operation and can be easily dismantled, featuring a spiral spring element made from temperature-resistant materials like sheet metal, wire, or plastic, which surrounds the sensor and supply line for enhanced protection and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor is embedded in a ceramic tube and suspended from a supply line, then the sensor can be protected and electrically connected, but the sensor sits undefined in the sensor tube and can migrate due to shocks and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is pre-formed with a specific spiral geometry and elastic properties before installation. When the sensor assembly is inserted into the sensor tube, the spring element automatically expands and engages with the tube walls, preliminarily establishing the correct sensor position and preventing migration before the device is put into service.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element provides a dynamic positioning mechanism that can adapt to vibrations and shocks. The elastic properties allow the spring to deform temporarily under mechanical stress and then return to its original configuration, maintaining sensor positioning stability despite external disturbances during transport or operation.
2Reliability
If the sensor is fixed by means of screws or clamping elements, then the sensor is securely positioned, but the sensor device becomes very difficult to disassemble
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is segmented into distinct components: the sensor, the supply line, and the spring element, which can be independently inserted and removed. The spring element itself is a separate component that provides positioning without permanent fixation, allowing the entire sensor assembly to be easily extracted from the sensor tube for replacement or maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is designed to be recoverable and reusable. When the sensor needs to be replaced, the spring element remains in the sensor tube and can continue to provide positioning for the new sensor assembly, eliminating the need to discard functional components and reducing maintenance complexity.
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 ensures the sensor remains accurately positioned and protected from vibrations and environmental factors, allowing for non-destructive disassembly and improved durability, enhancing the reliability and maintenance of the cooking appliance's temperature measurement system.
Implementation Method 1
the spring element is at least partially made of a spring-elastic material, such as sheet metal, wire, and/or plastic
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention shows a sensor system for a cooking appliance with a fastening element for receiving a sensor tube, in which a sensor and at least one supply line contacting the sensor are arranged, the sensor being positioned in the sensor tube by a spring element.