Gas cooking appliance with temperature-based power supply overload protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic control systems in cooking appliances, particularly those with touch screen displays, can be less intuitive for users and may face challenges in withstanding high ambient temperatures, such as those encountered in self-cleaning ovens, which can exceed 500 degrees Celsius.
Innovation Solution
A cooking appliance with a temperature sensor to monitor ambient temperature and a controller that adjusts the power consumption of electrical loads to match the temperature-dependent output capability of a low voltage power supply, using electromechanical valve units and user interfaces to manage gas burner output levels and display status information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic control systems with touch screen displays are used to control cooking elements, then the appliance provides a more modern and full-featured user interface, but the system becomes less intuitive for users and harder to operate quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent control modules, each responsible for specific functions. This allows the complex electronic system to be broken down into manageable, intuitive segments that users can interact with individually, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining modern features
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary control layer is introduced between the user and the cooking elements. This intermediary system translates simple user inputs into coordinated actions across multiple components, making the overall system easier to operate while maintaining full electronic functionality
2Adaptability or versatility
If electronic control systems are used in cooking appliances, then the appliance provides advanced control capabilities, but the system struggles to withstand high ambient temperatures such as those in self-cleaning ovens
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control system is extracted from the high-temperature oven environment and relocated to a cooler control compartment. This physical separation allows the oven to reach high temperatures for self-cleaning while the electronic controls remain in a thermally safe zone, maintaining both advanced control capabilities and temperature resistance
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal intermediary barrier is introduced between the oven cavity and the electronic control system. This barrier allows the control system to monitor and manage oven functions while being protected from direct exposure to extreme temperatures, ensuring reliable operation during self-cleaning cycles
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrical loads operate simultaneously in a cooking appliance, then the appliance provides full functionality, but the low voltage power supply becomes overloaded at high ambient temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution system is made dynamic through continuous monitoring of power supply output capability and automatic adjustment of load allocation. When temperature increases reduce the power supply's output capability, the system dynamically redistributes power to critical functions only, maintaining full functionality when needed while preventing overload at high temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback mechanism is implemented that continuously monitors the power supply's output capability and adjusts electrical load operation accordingly. When the power supply approaches its temperature-dependent limit, the feedback system automatically reduces or shuts off non-critical loads, preventing overload while maintaining essential appliance functions
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 system ensures safe and efficient operation by reducing power consumption when ambient temperatures exceed the power supply's capability, preventing overload and maintaining appliance functionality during high-temperature self-clean cycles.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor disposed proximate the low voltage power supply and configured to sense an ambient temperature proximate the low voltage power supply
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of electromechanical valve units, each electromechanical valve unit configured to couple a respective gas burner of the plurality of gas burners to a gas supply and to regulate an output level of the respective gas burner
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking appliance and method control the power consumption of a plurality of electrical loads in response to an ambient temperature sensed by a temperature sensor to maintain a combined power consumption within a temperature-dependent output capability of a low voltage power supply used in the cooking appliance.