Cooktop Burner Lockout Using State-Switch Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking appliances with surface heating elements require additional components and circuitry to sense the state of each heating element for lockout functionality, which is inefficient and prone to inadvertent activation.

Innovation Solution

A lockout control system that uses a controller, a lockout device, and a surface burner state switch to determine the state of the heating unit by monitoring the lockout device's state change, eliminating the need for separate sensing devices and logic inputs for each surface heating element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional components and circuitry are added to sense the state of each surface heating element, then the lockout functionality can be implemented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelockout functionalityVSAvoidcomponents and circuitry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lockout device is designed to perform multiple functions: it not only locks out the control panel but also serves as a sensing mechanism to detect the state of surface heating elements. By monitoring the electrical continuity through the lockout device itself, the system eliminates the need for separate sensing components for each heating element, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable lockout functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the lockout device is deactivated without checking burner control positions, then the operation speed increases, but the risk of inadvertent activation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelockout deactivation speedVSAvoidinadvertent activation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a preliminary check of burner control positions before allowing lockout deactivation. The controller monitors the positions of all burner controls and only permits the lockout device to be deactivated when all controls are in the off position. This preliminary verification action prevents inadvertent activation while maintaining a relatively quick deactivation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If the lockout device is activated while surface heating elements are in use, then the lockout responsiveness increases, but the risk of unexpected heating element activation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelockout activation responsivenessVSAvoidunexpected activation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Before activating the lockout device, the controller performs a preliminary check to determine if any surface heating elements are currently in use. The system monitors the operational state of all heating elements and only allows lockout activation when all elements are confirmed to be off. This preliminary verification prevents unexpected activation while maintaining responsive lockout functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8783243B2Lockout system for surface burners of a cooking appliance

Publication Date: 2014.07.22 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A lockout control system for a cooktop appliance having a surface heating unit includes a controller coupled to the cooktop, a lockout device coupled to the controller, a surface burner state switch coupled between the controller and the lockout device, the surface burner state switch configured to prevent operation of the lockout device when the surface heating unit is enabled.