Cooking Vessel Thermal Sensor Channel for Accurate Food Temperature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking vessels with thermal sensors often inaccurately measure food exposure temperature due to suboptimal sensor positioning, leading to issues like undercooking or overcooking, particularly for less experienced cooks.

Innovation Solution

A cookware apparatus with a thermal sensor positioned within a channel extending through the bottom and sidewall of the vessel, allowing the sensor to accurately measure food exposure temperature while being protected from external heat, and connected to an electronic circuit for temperature determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the thermal sensor is positioned in typical cookware locations, then the sensor can be easily integrated into the vessel structure, but the sensor inaccurately measures food exposure temperature due to exposure to external heat and suboptimal positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidexternal heat exposure to sensor

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal sensor is segmented from the main vessel body and positioned in a dedicated channel that extends through the bottom and sidewall. This segmentation allows the sensor to be isolated from external heat sources while maintaining structural integration through the channel design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The channel structure acts as an intermediary between the vessel exterior and the thermal sensor. It provides a protected pathway that allows the sensor to measure internal temperature without being directly exposed to external heat, mediating the thermal interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the thermal sensor extends through the bottom and sidewall of the vessel, then the sensor accurately measures food exposure temperature, but the sensor becomes vulnerable to damage from external heat and physical exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood exposure temperature measurementVSAvoidsensor protection from external heat

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal sensor is nested within the channel structure that is formed within the vessel wall. This nested configuration allows the sensor to extend through the bottom and sidewall for accurate measurement while being protected by the surrounding vessel material in the channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The channel provides a protective enclosure for the thermal sensor, similar to a flexible shell, that allows the sensor to extend outward for measurement while maintaining protection from external environmental factors through the channel walls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Measurement precision

If the channel extends through both the bottom and sidewall of the vessel, then the thermal sensor can be properly positioned for accurate measurement, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor positioning accuracyVSAvoidchannel formation process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The channel is formed in the vessel bottom and sidewall during the initial manufacturing process, before the thermal sensor is installed. This preliminary action of creating the channel structure simplifies subsequent sensor installation and ensures proper positioning without requiring complex post-assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 configuration provides accurate temperature measurement and protection of the sensor, enhancing cooking precision and safety by ensuring the sensor is not exposed to external heat, thus improving cooking outcomes for users of all skill levels.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal sensor positioned within the channel, the thermal sensor extending through the portion of the bottom and further extending upward into and through the portion of the sidewall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3414492B1Cooking vessel with a thermal sensor

Publication Date: 2023.09.06 MEYER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES LIMITED

Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2

AI summary

A cooking vessel with a thermal sensor is provided. A cooking apparatus (1000) includes a vessel (1002). The vessel (1002) has a bottom (1005), and a sidewall (1010) surrounding the bottom (1005) and extending upward from the bottom (1005) so as to form a fluid retaining interior region (1003). The sidewall (1010) terminates at a rim (1018). The vessel (1002) also includes a channel (1015) extending through a portion of the bottom (1005) and further extending upward into and through a portion of the sidewa1l (1010). The channel (1015) has an opening (1017) positioned in an external surface (1006) of the sidewall (1010). The cooking apparatus (1000) further includes a thermal sensor (1030) positioned within the channel (1015). The thermal sensor (1030) extends through the portion of the bottom (1005) and further extends upward into and through the portion of the sidewall (1010).