Cooktop Thermal Sensor Integration for Precise Pan Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking devices face challenges in accurately and reliably detecting the temperature of food containers, often requiring multiple expensive sensors to achieve precision, which increases complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A cooking device with a sensor system comprising a safety sensor unit and additional sensor units for contactless thermal radiation detection, including a thermopile and temperature-sensitive resistors, which also serves for automatic heat control and emergency shutdown, using a filter device to differentiate electromagnetic radiation based on wavelength and polarization, and a magnetic shielding device to improve measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple expensive heat sensors are used to achieve required temperature detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by making the existing safety sensor unit serve dual purposes: it continues to provide safety monitoring functions while simultaneously being used for automatic cooking control functions. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated sensors, reducing component count and cost while maintaining measurement precision requirements through the use of appropriate sensor types (thermopile, thermocouple, or temperature-sensitive resistor) that can fulfill both safety and control measurement needs
2Measurement precision
If multiple expensive heat sensors are used to achieve required temperature detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing cost by designing the safety sensor unit to perform multiple functions. Instead of manufacturing and installing separate sensors for safety and automatic control, a single sensor unit is configured to handle both tasks, directly reducing bill of materials cost and assembly complexity while maintaining the required temperature detection accuracy through proper sensor selection
3Device complexity
If existing safety sensor units are used for both safety and automatic functions, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses measurement precision concerns by allowing parameter changes in the sensor configuration. Different sensor types (thermopile, thermocouple, temperature-sensitive resistor) can be selected based on the specific application requirements, and the sensor can be positioned at different locations (below the cooktop, on the cookware, or in the food) to optimize measurement accuracy for both safety monitoring and automatic control functions
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 enables reliable, cost-effective temperature detection and control, reducing the need for multiple sensors while ensuring accurate and safe operation by using existing safety sensors for both safety and automatic functions.
Implementation Method 1
The first sensor unit is designed and set up for contactless detection of thermal radiation
Implementation Method 2
The filter device is designed and suitable for reflecting and/or transmitting electromagnetic radiation depending on the wavelength and/or the polarization and/or the angle of incidence
Implementation Method 3
the first sensor unit and the other sensor unit is suitable for the non-contact detection of thermal radiation and is designed as a thermopile or thermopile
Implementation Method 4
The safety sensor unit is designed to record at least one characteristic variable for temperatures
Data Source
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AI summary
The device (1) has a cooking field (11) comprising a cooking point (12) and a heating device (2) for heating a cooking area (31). A safety device is attached to a safety sensor unit. A sensor device (3) detects characteristic parameter for temperatures of the cooking area. A control device controls the heating device based on the parameter detected by the sensor device. The sensor device has a sensor unit that is provided for contactless detection of thermal radiation, where the safety sensor unit is designed as another sensor unit of the sensor device.