Core temperature sensor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing core temperature sensors for cooking appliances are prone to incorrect positioning, leading to inaccurate temperature measurements, which can result in undercooked food and potential health risks, and current solutions are complex and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A core temperature sensor with at least one first thermal voltage element and one second thermal voltage element of opposite polarity, connected in series, allows for the detection of incorrect positioning by measuring the relative electrical voltage difference, enabling reliable and inexpensive verification of correct insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single temperature sensor is used in the core temperature probe, then the device is simple and inexpensive, but it cannot detect incorrect positioning and provides inaccurate temperature measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensing function is segmented into two separate thermal voltage elements positioned at different locations along the probe. One element is located at the tip (first thermal voltage element) and the other is located in the handle (second thermal voltage element). This segmentation allows the system to compare temperatures at different positions to detect incorrect probe insertion, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple thermocouples are arranged equidistantly on the tube to enable position detection, then position detection accuracy is improved, but the device becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the position detection function from a multi-sensor array and implements it using only two thermal voltage elements. By taking out the essential requirement (comparing two temperature points) and removing unnecessary complexity (multiple equidistant thermocouples), the system achieves position detection with minimal sensor count, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the core temperature probe is incorrectly inserted, then the temperature measurement is fast and easy to obtain, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates and may lead to undercooked food
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the second thermal voltage element in the handle to verify correct probe insertion. By comparing the temperature difference between the two elements against expected values, the system provides feedback about insertion correctness. This feedback mechanism maintains ease of operation while ensuring measurement precision, as the system can alert the user when insertion is incorrect.
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 solution provides a simple and cost-effective method to determine correct insertion of the core temperature sensor, ensuring accurate temperature measurements and preventing undercooking, while also allowing for temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
the first thermal voltage element and the second thermal voltage element being connected in series and of opposite polarity and from a relative magnitude of an electrical voltage difference between the first thermal voltage element and the second thermal voltage element, incorrect positioning of the core temperature sensor can be detected
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a core temperature sensor (203), comprising at least one first thermoelectric voltage element (102) and a second thermoelectric voltage element (102), wherein the first thermoelectric voltage element (101) and the second thermoelectric voltage element (102) are interconnected such that a temperature difference (ΔΤ) between said elements can be determined.