Gas Cooktop Fire Detection for Automatic Cookware-Sensing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas cooktops require manual adjustment of the gas valve to control fire, which is complex and often results in energy inefficiency and increased fumes in the kitchen.
Innovation Solution
A gas cooktop with a control system that includes a fire detection apparatus and a control apparatus. The fire detection apparatus, installed over the burner head, detects the presence or absence of fire, and the control apparatus adjusts the gas supply accordingly to determine if cookware is placed on the burner head, automatically controlling the fire to a minimum when cookware is removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual gas valve adjustment is used to control fire, then the user can control the fire size, but the operation becomes complex and energy inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects cookware presence using sensors and adjusts the gas valve accordingly without requiring manual user intervention. The control system serves itself by monitoring the burner state and autonomously regulating the fire size, eliminating the need for complex manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the presence or absence of cookware and feeds this information back to the control apparatus, which then adjusts the gas valve to maintain optimal fire size. This closed-loop feedback mechanism simplifies user operation while maintaining precise fire control.
2Ease of operation
If manual gas valve adjustment is used to control fire, then the user can control the fire size, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects cookware presence using sensors and adjusts the gas valve accordingly without requiring manual user intervention. The control system serves itself by monitoring the burner state and autonomously regulating the fire size, eliminating the need for complex manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the presence or absence of cookware and feeds this information back to the control apparatus, which then adjusts the gas valve to maintain optimal fire size. This closed-loop feedback mechanism simplifies user operation while maintaining precise fire control.
3Ease of operation
If manual gas valve adjustment is used to control fire, then the user can control the fire size, but kitchen fumes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects cookware presence using sensors and adjusts the gas valve accordingly without requiring manual user intervention. The control system serves itself by monitoring the burner state and autonomously regulating the fire size, eliminating the need for complex manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the presence or absence of cookware and feeds this information back to the control apparatus, which then adjusts the gas valve to maintain optimal fire size. This closed-loop feedback mechanism simplifies user operation while maintaining precise fire control.
4Use of energy by moving object
If automatic fire control is implemented, then energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical valve adjustment with an automated control system that uses sensors (optical or weight-based) to detect cookware presence and electronically controls the gas valve. This substitution of mechanical user interaction with automated sensing and control reduces energy consumption while managing device complexity through integrated electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects cookware presence using sensors and adjusts the gas valve accordingly without requiring manual user intervention. The control system serves itself by monitoring the burner state and autonomously regulating the fire size, eliminating the need for complex manual operations.
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 enables automatic adjustment of the gas cooktop fire, reducing energy consumption and minimizing kitchen fumes by ensuring the fire is adjusted to a minimum when cookware is removed.
Implementation Method 1
the fire detection apparatus is a thermal imager, configured to capture an infrared thermal image of the burner head
Implementation Method 2
capture an infrared thermal image of the burner head
Implementation Method 3
the fire sensor includes an infrared receiver, configured to detect an infrared signal of the burner head
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A gas cooktop (1) includes: a cooktop body (10), where the cooktop body (10) is provided with a burner head (11), and fire generated by the burner head (11) is used for heating cookware (2) placed on the burner head (11); and a control system (20), where the control system (20) includes a fire detection apparatus (21) and a control apparatus (22), and the control apparatus (22) receives a signal of the fire detection apparatus (21) to control the fire of the burner head (11). The fire detection apparatus (21) is installed over the burner head (11) and is aligned with the burner head (11), and the control apparatus (22) determines, depending on whether the fire detection apparatus (21) detects the fire of the burner head (11), whether cookware (2) is placed on the burner head (11). By using such a gas cooktop (1) including the control system (20), the gas cooktop (1) automatically adjusts the fire to a minimum after a user removes a pot, thus reducing fume in a kitchen and reducing gas consumption.