Dual-Sensor Heated Wall Layout for Precise Food Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing kitchen appliances lack robustness and efficient temperature control, particularly in heating food, as they often rely on external temperature sensors that are prone to damage and provide inaccurate temperature measurements, leading to inefficient energy use and potential overheating.

Innovation Solution

A kitchen appliance design featuring a dual-layered wall structure with internal temperature sensors, where one sensor measures the surface temperature and another measures the internal temperature, allowing for precise temperature control and energy optimization by minimizing residual heat usage and preventing overheating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If external temperature sensors are used to measure temperature, then the device structure is simple, but the temperature measurement accuracy is poor and the sensor is prone to damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor is nested within the wall structure, specifically positioned between the first layer (food contact surface) and the second layer of the wall. This internal placement protects the sensor from external damage while enabling accurate temperature measurement of the cooking surface, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Use of energy by moving object

If residual heat is utilized to minimize energy consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but temperature control precision deteriorates due to unpredictable heat retention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidtemperature control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control device receives continuous temperature data from the sensor positioned in the wall and adjusts the heating conductor operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables precise temperature control even when utilizing residual heat, as the system can detect and compensate for heat retention variations in real-time, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and temperature control precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the heating conductor is placed close to the food contact surface for efficient heating, then heating efficiency improves, but the risk of overheating and damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidoverheating protection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor is positioned in the wall between the heating conductor and the food contact surface to detect temperature changes before they reach dangerous levels. This preliminary detection allows the control device to adjust or stop heating in advance, preventing overheating while maintaining efficient heat transfer to the food, thus resolving the contradiction between heating efficiency and overheating protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 ensures accurate temperature measurement and control, optimizing energy use by utilizing residual heat and preventing overheating, thus enhancing food preparation efficiency and safety.

Implementation Method 1

A heating conductor can, for example, be an electrical conductor that heats up when an electrical current flows through it.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The first temperature sensor can contact the first layer. If the first temperature sensor contacts the first layer, there is a direct physical connection between the first temperature sensor and the first layer.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The second temperature sensor can be adjacent to the second layer. The second temperature sensor can determine the temperature prevailing inside the wall.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4383941A1Kitchen appliance for heating food and production method
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH
  • EP4383941A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4383941A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4383941A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a kitchen appliance for heating food, comprising a wall. A heating element (3) for heating food is located within the wall. The wall includes an outer first layer (1). A second layer (2) of the wall is optionally located between the first layer (1) and the heating element (3). The thermal conductivity of the second layer (2) is greater than that of the first layer (1). A first temperature sensor (5) is located within the wall and is in contact with the first layer (1). A second temperature sensor (6) is also located within the wall and is optionally arranged separately from the first layer (1). It may suffice for the first temperature sensor (5) to be located at a large distance and the second temperature sensor at a small distance from the heating element. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the kitchen appliance (7) wherein the first temperature sensor (5) and the second temperature sensor (6) are calibrated.The kitchen appliance allows target temperatures to be set very precisely.