Gas Burner Valve Control for Temperature-Regulated Cooking Programs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas cooking appliances can only regulate cooking temperatures for specific gas flow rates and lack the ability to select cooking programs across various gas flow rates, limiting user control and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A gas cooking appliance with a manual regulating valve and an ON-OFF type electromagnetic gas valve, connected to a control unit and temperature sensor, allows for the selection of cooking programs with temperature regulation at any gas flow rate, enabling synchronized temperature control with desired gas flow rates through a programmable selector mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a manual regulating valve is used to control gas flow, then the user can adjust gas flow rates, but the appliance cannot provide automated temperature regulation across different gas flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking program selector is mechanically coupled to the manual actuator of the regulating valve, allowing a single component to serve dual functions: manually adjusting gas flow rates and selecting automated cooking programs. This mechanical coupling enables the system to provide both manual control and automated temperature regulation without requiring separate independent control mechanisms, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the cooking program selector and the electromagnetic valve. When a cooking program is selected, the control unit receives the selection signal, determines the appropriate gas flow rate and temperature settings, and automatically controls the electromagnetic valve to maintain the desired temperature. This intermediary function enables automated temperature regulation across different gas flow rates without requiring complex direct control mechanisms at the valve level.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a cooking program selector is added to enable temperature regulation, then adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking program selector is merged with the manual actuator of the regulating valve through mechanical coupling. This integration allows the selector to share the same physical interface and control mechanism as the manual valve, eliminating the need for a completely separate control device. The merging reduces overall system complexity while providing enhanced cooking program selection capability, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooking program selector serves multiple functions: it allows users to select from predefined cooking programs, automatically controls gas flow rates through the electromagnetic valve, and integrates with the existing manual valve mechanism. This multi-functionality enables the single component to provide both program selection and flow control capabilities, improving adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Temperature
If the manual actuator is moved to control gas flow, then gas flow rate changes, but temperature regulation cannot be maintained across different flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors the selected cooking program and automatically adjusts the electromagnetic valve to maintain the desired temperature. When a cooking program is selected, the system receives feedback about the required temperature and gas flow rate settings, and automatically modulates the valve to achieve and maintain the target temperature, enabling temperature regulation across different flow rates without complicating user operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs self-service by automatically determining the appropriate gas flow rate and controlling the electromagnetic valve based on the selected cooking program. Once the user selects a program, the system autonomously manages the temperature regulation and gas flow control without requiring continuous manual intervention, thus maintaining ease of operation while achieving precise temperature control across varying flow rates.
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
Enables precise temperature regulation across different gas flow rates, enhancing user control and cooking efficiency by allowing specific temperature settings for various cooking processes, while ensuring safety through automatic gas flow management.
Implementation Method 1
an ON-OFF type electromagnetic gas valve fluidly communicating the regulating valve and the burner
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor electrically connected to the control unit to measure a temperature related to a cooking process in the burner
Implementation Method 3
at least one gas burner, a manual regulating valve for each gas burner for regulating the gas flow reaching the burner from a gas line
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment a gas cooking appliance is provided that includes at least one burner and a manual regulating valve for each burner. The manual regulating valve includes a manual actuator movable in a range of actuation (A) to vary a gas flow rate (Q) therethrough. At least one electromagnetic valve fluidly communicates the manual regulating valve and the burner. A control unit controls the electromagnetic valve. At least one temperature sensor is electrically connected to the control unit to measure a temperature related to a cooking process. A cooking program selector is electrically connected to the control unit and mechanically coupled to the manual actuator, such that each cooking program is associated with a gas flow rate, the program selector including at least one cooking program with temperature regulation.