Cooking vessel with a thermal sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Less experienced cooks often face challenges in determining the optimal temperature for cooking due to inadequate thermal sensor positioning in cookware, leading to issues like undercooking or overcooking food.
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, and its leads routed through a handle to an electronic circuit for temperature determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If thermal sensors are embedded in typical positions in cookware, then the device structure is simple, but the temperature measurement accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal sensor is positioned in a channel that extends through the bottom and up the sidewall of the vessel, transitioning from a typical flat surface mounting to a three-dimensional embedded position. This allows the sensor to measure temperature at the interface between the vessel wall and food, providing more accurate food exposure temperature readings rather than just vessel surface temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel is formed in the vessel bottom and sidewall before the thermal sensor is installed. This preliminary structuring of the vessel body allows the sensor to be precisely positioned and embedded in the correct location to optimize temperature measurement accuracy without requiring complex post-manufacturing assembly steps.
2Measurement precision
If thermal sensors are positioned to accurately measure food exposure temperature, then temperature measurement accuracy improves, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The channel is pre-formed in the vessel bottom and sidewall structure before sensor installation. This preliminary action creates a ready-made pathway that guides the sensor to the optimal measurement position, eliminating the need for complex custom fabrication or difficult post-assembly positioning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates sensor installation and positioning. It provides a protected pathway through the vessel wall, allowing the sensor to reach the measurement location while being shielded from direct food contact and mechanical damage, thus simplifying both installation and maintenance.
3Measurement precision
If sensor leads are routed through the handle, then the thermal sensor can be positioned accurately in the vessel, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle serves multiple functions: it provides the ergonomic grip for handling the vessel and simultaneously acts as a conduit for routing the sensor leads from the vessel body to the external electronics. This multi-functional use of the handle eliminates the need for separate lead routing channels or complex external wiring arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The lead routing function is merged with the handle structure. Instead of having separate components for handling and wiring, the handle is designed to incorporate internal pathways that guide the sensor leads, combining two functional requirements into a single integrated structure.
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 enables accurate temperature measurement and monitoring, reducing the risk of undercooking or overcooking by providing a reliable temperature reading directly associated with the food, enhancing cooking precision.
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 a portion of the sidewall
Data Source
AI summary
According to one example, a cookware apparatus includes a vessel. The vessel includes a bottom, and a sidewall surrounding the bottom and extending upward from the bottom so as to form a fluid retaining interior region. The sidewall terminates at a rim. The vessel also includes a channel extending through a portion of the bottom and further extending upward into and through a portion of the sidewall. The channel has an opening positioned in an external surface of the sidewall. The cookware apparatus further includes a thermal sensor positioned within the channel. The thermal sensor extends through the portion of the bottom and further extends upward into and through the portion of the sidewall.