Cooktop Grate Temperature Sensor with Transient Heat Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas cooktop appliances face challenges in accurately measuring cooking utensil temperatures due to heat transfer from the grate to sensors, and existing solutions like spring-loaded sensors complicate assembly and cleaning while allowing spills.
Innovation Solution
A cooktop appliance with a grate featuring a sensor finger that includes a first temperature probe above the surface and a second probe within the finger, communicating with a controller to determine the utensil's temperature based on user-defined power settings and measurements from both probes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a temperature sensor is mounted within the grate to conveniently sense cooking utensil temperatures, then the sensor location is unobtrusive and convenient, but the sensor is significantly heated by convective heat from the gas burner and heat transfer from the grate, introducing challenges in temperature measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is segmented into two separate probes: a first temperature probe that contacts the cooking utensil and a second temperature probe that contacts the grate. This segmentation allows each probe to measure its local temperature independently, enabling the controller to differentiate between utensil temperature and grate-induced temperature, thereby resolving the measurement accuracy issue while maintaining the convenient grate-mounted sensor location
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that processes temperature measurements from both probes and the power setting information. By using the second probe's measurement of grate temperature and the known power setting as reference data, the controller can compensate for heat transfer effects from the grate to the first probe, accurately determining the true utensil temperature despite the grate's thermal influence
2Measurement precision
If a spring-loaded sensor passes through the gas burner to press against cookware for temperature sensing, then the sensor can directly contact the cooking utensil, but assembly and cleaning of burner parts is greatly complicated and openings in the gas burner allow spills to pass through
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted from the gas burner assembly and relocated to the grate structure. The sensor mounting location is removed from the burner area, eliminating the need for openings in the gas burner and the complex spring-loaded mechanism that passes through the burner. This extraction simplifies both the burner assembly (which no longer needs sensor openings) and the overall device structure, while the sensor still achieves its function of contacting the cooking utensil through the grate's top surface
Solution Approach 2:
The grate structure is given a dual function: it continues to support cooking utensils while also serving as the mounting structure for the temperature sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate sensor mounting mechanism within the burner, simplifying the overall device structure and reducing assembly and cleaning 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
This configuration provides accurate temperature measurement of cooking utensils while preventing direct heat interference and simplifying assembly and cleaning by shielding sensors from convective heat and spills.
Implementation Method 1
a second temperature probe positioned within the sensor finger between the top surface of the sensor finger and a bottom surface of the sensor finger
Implementation Method 2
The controller is configured to determine a temperature of a cooking utensil positioned on the top surface of the sensor finger based on the power setting defined by the user input, the first temperature measurement, and the second temperature measurement
Data Source
AI summary
A cooktop appliance includes a gas burner, a user input configured to define a power setting of the gas burner, and a grate. The grate includes a sensor finger with a temperature sensor mounted thereto. The temperature sensor includes a first temperature probe extending above a top surface of the sensor finger and a second temperature probe positioned within the sensor finger. The cooktop appliance also includes a controller in communication with the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is configured to transmit a first temperature measurement from the first temperature probe and a second temperature measurement from the second temperature probe to the controller. The controller is configured to determine a temperature of a cooking utensil positioned on the top surface of the sensor finger based on the power setting defined by the user input, the first temperature measurement, and the second temperature measurement.