Gas cooking appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas cooking appliances lack the ability to select cooking programs that correspond to specific gas flow rates, limiting their flexibility in regulating cooking processes across various flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A gas cooking appliance with a manual regulating valve and an ON-OFF type electromagnetic gas valve, coupled with a control unit and temperature sensor, features a cooking program selector that synchronizes gas flow rates with selected cooking programs, allowing for temperature regulation at any point of the actuator's range of motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a manual regulating valve is used to control gas flow to the burner, then the user can manually adjust the gas flow rate, but the appliance lacks the ability to select specific cooking programs corresponding to predetermined gas flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic valve serves multiple functions: it acts as a safety device to cut off gas supply when temperature thresholds are exceeded, and simultaneously functions as a programmable control mechanism that can be positioned at predetermined locations corresponding to different cooking programs. This multi-functionality allows the system to provide both automated safety protection and programmable cooking mode selection without adding separate complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic valve is pre-positioned at specific locations along its travel range, where each position corresponds to a predetermined gas flow rate suitable for different cooking programs. These pre-established positions allow users to select cooking modes by simply moving the valve to the appropriate pre-configured location, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations or adjustments during cooking.
2Reliability
If thermal safety elements and electromagnetic valves are added to control gas flow and prevent overheating, then temperature regulation capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the safety shutdown function and the cooking program selection function into a single electromagnetic valve system. The same valve that controls gas flow for temperature regulation is also used to select cooking programs by positioning it at predetermined locations. This merging eliminates the need for separate safety valves and program selection mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining both safety and programmability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic valve is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a thermal safety device that automatically cuts off gas supply when temperature thresholds are exceeded, and simultaneously acts as a programmable control mechanism where its position corresponds to different cooking programs with predetermined gas flow rates. This multi-functionality allows one component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the manual actuator range is used to select cooking programs with specific gas flow rates, then cooking process regulation flexibility is enhanced, but the precision of gas flow rate control must be maintained across the actuator's movement range
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes predetermined positions of the electromagnetic valve along its travel range, where each position corresponds to a specifically calibrated gas flow rate for different cooking programs. These pre-configured positions ensure precise gas flow control without requiring the manual actuator to achieve high precision throughout its entire range of motion. The calibration is done in advance during manufacturing, ensuring accurate gas flow rates at each programmed position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the regulating valve by positioning the electromagnetic valve at different locations along its travel range. Each position corresponds to a different gas flow rate parameter, allowing the system to provide precise control for different cooking programs. The physical position of the valve directly translates to specific gas flow parameters, enabling flexible yet precise control across multiple cooking modes.
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 the selection of cooking programs with specific gas flow rates, enhancing the appliance's ability to regulate cooking processes efficiently and safely across different temperature settings.
Implementation Method 1
an ON-OFF type electromagnetic gas valve fluidically communicating the regulating valve and the burner, a control unit for controlling the electromagnetic valve
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
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Gas cooking appliance comprising at least one burner (10), a manual regulating valve (20) for each burner (10) comprising a manual actuator (40) movable in a range of actuation (A), a gas flow rate (Q) being changed, at least one electromagnetic valve (50) fluidically communicating the regulating valve (20) and the burner (10), a control unit (100) controlling the electromagnetic valve (50), at least one temperature sensor (60) electrically connected to the control unit (100) to measure a temperature related to a cooking process, and a cooking program selector (70) electrically connected to the control unit (100) and mechanically coupled to the actuator (40), such that each cooking program is associated with a gas flow rate, the program selector (70) comprising at least one cooking program with temperature regulation (T).