Gas Burner Assembly With Shielded Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas cooktops with inwardly directed burners face issues of uneven heating, inaccurate temperature measurement due to flame exposure, and difficulty in cleaning due to food spills and particle accumulation, especially around temperature sensors and burner assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A cooktop appliance design featuring an inwardly directed burner with a large aperture for secondary air and a grate with a channel to shield the temperature sensor from flames, along with a spring-loaded sensor mechanism for accurate measurement and easy cleaning access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor passes vertically through the center of the burner to ensure proper contact with the cooking utensil, then the temperature measurement contact is improved, but the sensor is exposed to the inwardly directed flame causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
A flame shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the inwardly directed flame and the temperature sensor. The shield is positioned within the burner assembly to block the flame from directly contacting the sensor, thereby preventing measurement errors while allowing the sensor to maintain vertical positioning for proper contact with the cooking utensil
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor is repositioned from a vertical orientation through the burner center to a horizontal or angled orientation within the burner assembly. This dimensional change allows the sensor to remain protected from the flame while still maintaining thermal contact with the cooking utensil through the grate structure
2Reliability
If the burner has a large open center to provide sufficient secondary air for clean combustion, then the air/fuel mixture is improved, but food spills easily pass down into the interior of the cooktop
Solution Approach 1:
The burner assembly is segmented into multiple components including a removable burner head, grate, and flame shield. This segmentation allows the burner to maintain a large open center for proper air flow during operation, while enabling easy disassembly for cleaning by removing the burner head and grate to access the interior surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The burner assembly incorporates dynamic, removable components that can be easily detached and reattached. The burner head and grate are designed to be quickly removed for cleaning and repositioned for use, transforming the static structure into a dynamic system that adapts between operational and cleaning states
3Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor extends slightly above the top surface of the grate to ensure contact, then the sensor contact with cooking utensil is improved, but food particles accumulate on the sensor and are difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted from its conventional position extending above the grate and is instead integrated within the burner assembly structure. The sensor is positioned to contact the cooking utensil through the grate structure itself, eliminating the protruding portion that accumulates food particles while maintaining measurement functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The grate structure is given multiple functions: it supports the cooking utensil, provides a barrier to prevent food particle accumulation on the sensor, and serves as a thermal conduction path for the temperature sensor. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for the sensor to extend above the grate while maintaining contact capability
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 design ensures uniform heating, accurate temperature measurement, and improved cleaning efficiency by shielding the sensor from flames and allowing easy access to clean beneath the burners.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor positioned within the air passage and configured to measure the temperature of the cooking utensil
Implementation Method 2
these sensors typically pass vertically through the center of the burner and extend slightly above the top surface of the grate
Data Source
AI summary
A cooktop appliance includes a gas burner assembly positioned on a panel of the cooktop appliance and a grate that suspends the burner in air above the panel. The gas burner assembly includes an inwardly directed burner that defines a large aperture for providing secondary air to ensure a proper air/fuel mixture. A temperature sensor is positioned within the grate for measuring the temperature of the cooking utensil. The grate defines a channel that shields the temperature sensor from food spills and from the inwardly directed flame to ensure accurate temperature measurement.