Cooktop Thermal Conduction Strip for Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooktop appliances face challenges in accurately regulating the heating of electric heating elements at high heat settings to avoid overheating while minimizing unnecessary deactivation.
Innovation Solution
A cooktop appliance design featuring a ceramic plate, an electric heating element positioned below, a temperature sensor between the ceramic plate and heating element, and a thermal conduction strip extending along the ceramic plate's surface between 50% and 100% of its length, which helps in accurately measuring and controlling the temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the electric heating element operates at high heat setting, then the heating power is improved, but the risk of overheating increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor provides continuous feedback about the cooking surface temperature to the control system. The control system adjusts the heating element power based on this feedback, reducing power when temperature approaches the threshold and increasing it when temperature drops, thereby maintaining safe operating temperatures while preserving high heat capability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal conduction strip acts as an intermediary between the heating element and the temperature sensor. It accurately transfers thermal energy from the heating element through the ceramic plate to the temperature sensor, enabling precise temperature measurement and control that prevents overheating while maintaining effective heating power
2Measurement precision
If the temperature control is more sensitive, then the temperature regulation precision is improved, but the frequency of heating element deactivation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal conduction strip is positioned to make contact with the ceramic plate at an optimized location that anticipates temperature changes before they reach the cooking surface. This preliminary thermal detection allows the control system to adjust heating power proactively, maintaining precise temperature control while avoiding unnecessary deactivation cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The system modifies the thermal conduction strip's physical parameters (contact position, dimensions, material properties) to optimize the thermal coupling between the heating element and temperature sensor. This adjustment fine-tunes the temperature measurement sensitivity, achieving accurate temperature regulation while maintaining appropriate hysteresis to prevent excessive deactivation
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 design effectively maintains the temperature of cooking utensils below a threshold, preventing overheating and minimizing deactivation of the heating elements, ensuring safe and efficient cooking.
Implementation Method 1
The thermal conduction strip may extend in contact with a bottom surface of the ceramic plate between an inner tip proximal to the center point and an outer tip distal to the center point
Implementation Method 2
The temperature sensor may be positioned between the ceramic plate and the electric heating element relative to a vertical direction
Implementation Method 3
Certain cooktop appliances include electric heating elements for heating pots, pans and other containers with food items therein
Data Source
AI summary
A cooktop appliance is provided herein. The cooktop appliance may include a ceramic plate, an electric heating element, a temperature sensor, and a thermal conduction strip. The electric heating element may be positioned below the ceramic plate. The electric heating element may define a horizontal length from a center point projected on the ceramic plate. The temperature sensor may be positioned between the ceramic plate and the electric heating element relative to a vertical direction. The temperature sensor may be spaced apart from the ceramic plate and the electric heating element. The thermal-conduction strip may be attached to the temperature sensor. The thermal-conduction strip may extend in contact with a bottom surface of the ceramic plate between an inner tip proximal to the center point and an outer tip distal to the center point.