Electric Range Two-Step Manipulation to Prevent Unintentional Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric cook tops lack effective protection against unintentional manipulations, which can lead to accidental heating and fires, especially when a child lock function is not activated, and existing solutions restrict operation even when the child lock is engaged.
Innovation Solution
A cooking apparatus with a processor-controlled relay system that differentiates between intentional and unintentional manipulations, providing power to the heating element only when intended by the user, and includes a child lock function that allows independent operation of the cook top even when the oven door is locked.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanical switch is used to control the electric heating element, then the operation is simple and direct, but unintentional manipulation can occur leading to safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The control operation is divided into two distinct steps: first pressing the manipulation part, then rotating the knob. This segmentation of the single operation into multiple sequential actions prevents accidental activation while maintaining ease of use, as the heating element only operates when both steps are deliberately completed
Solution Approach 2:
The system requires a preliminary action (pressing the manipulation part) before the final activation action (rotating the knob) can be performed. This preliminary step prepares the system for operation and ensures that the user has intentionally decided to activate the heating element, thereby preventing unintentional manipulation
2Reliability
If a child lock function is activated to prevent unintentional manipulation, then safety is improved, but the operation of the heating element is restricted even when intended
Solution Approach 1:
The control system applies different operational modes to different functional areas: the oven door locking function applies to the oven compartment, while the cook top heating element operates independently through its own manipulation part. This allows the heating element to remain accessible even when the oven door is locked, as each function has its own local control quality
3Ease of operation
If the relay is turned on continuously to allow operation, then the heating element is always accessible, but unintentional activation cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The relay's operational state is made dynamic rather than static. The relay turns on temporarily only after the user completes the two-step manipulation sequence, and turns off automatically after a predetermined time period if operation doesn't commence. This dynamic state change ensures the heating element is accessible when needed while preventing continuous operation that could lead to accidental heating
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 solution effectively prevents unintentional heating and maintains safe operation even in standby states without child lock activation, ensuring user safety and functionality of the cook top.
Implementation Method 1
an electric heating element for heating an object to be cooked
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking apparatus is provided. The cooking apparatus includes a first manipulation part, a second manipulation part, an electric heating element for heating an object to be cooked, a switch connected with a relay that is turned on/turned off, and which is for providing power provided through the relay in a turned-on state to the electric heating element according to a user manipulation input through the first manipulation part, and a processor which, based on receiving input of a user manipulation of the second manipulation part, turns on the relay for a predetermined time period.