Cooktop Sensor Airflow Shielding Against Grease Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensors mounted above the cooktop in oven range appliances are prone to contamination by grease and moisture, which impede their ability to effectively monitor the cooktop, especially when users cannot attend to it in real-time.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a sensor with a fan to direct air flow over the sensing end, protecting it from contamination, and a method to detect cooking utensils on the surface, activating and disabling the fan as needed to maintain sensor clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor is mounted above the cooktop to monitor the cooking surface, then the ability to detect cooking utensils and monitor the cooktop is improved, but the sensor becomes contaminated by grease and moisture which impedes its sensing ability
Solution Approach 1:
A fan is introduced as an intermediary device that generates airflow to blow grease and moisture away from the sensor. The fan acts as a mediator between the harmful contaminants and the sensor, preventing direct contact between contaminants and the sensor surface, thereby maintaining sensor detection ability while allowing the sensor to remain mounted in the optimal monitoring position
2Reliability
If a fan is added to protect the sensor from contamination, then the sensor reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sensor and fan into a single integrated sensor housing assembly. The fan motor, blades, and sensor are housed together in one unit, which reduces the number of separate components and simplifies installation and maintenance. This merging approach maintains sensor reliability through continuous protective airflow while minimizing the increase in device complexity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the fan operates continuously to protect the sensor, then the sensor remains free from contamination, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fan operates periodically rather than continuously - it activates when cooking is detected (via the sensor or control system) and deactivates when cooking is complete or during idle periods. This periodic operation maintains sensor protection during critical cooking phases while significantly reducing overall energy consumption during non-cooking periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the sensor and control system to regulate fan operation. When the sensor detects cooking conditions or when the control system receives cooking signals, it activates the fan. When cooking is complete or no cooking activity is detected, the fan is deactivated. This feedback-based control ensures the fan operates only when necessary for sensor protection, optimizing the balance between contamination prevention and energy consumption
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
The system effectively keeps the sensor free from contamination, ensuring reliable monitoring of the cooktop even when users are not present, by continuously directing air flow past the sensor to prevent moisture and grease accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
a fan is operated to direct a flow of air over the sensing end of the sensor to protect or shield it during cooking operations
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides for operation of a sensor directed toward a cooking surface positioned beneath the sensor. If a cooking utensil is detected on the cooking surface, a fan is operated to direct a flow of air over the sensing end of the sensor to protect or shield it during cooking operations.