Gas Cooktop Temperature Feedback for Automated Flame Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional home appliances lack precise temperature control and real-time cooking information, making it difficult for users to achieve consistent cooking results.
Innovation Solution
A home appliance system that includes a gas burner, a temperature sensor, and a control circuitry to adjust gas flow based on sensed container temperatures, allowing for predefined cooking profiles and automatic shut-off, enabling precise temperature control and prevention of scorching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional knobs are used to control flame output, then the device complexity is low, but the temperature control precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a temperature sensor continuously monitors the cooking container temperature and sends signals to the control circuitry, which then adjusts the gas flow rate through the proportional solenoid valve to maintain the desired temperature. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables precise temperature control while automating the adjustment process, resolving the contradiction between control precision and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical knob-based manual control system with an automated electronic control system featuring a proportional solenoid valve actuated by control circuitry based on temperature sensor feedback. This substitution of mechanical manual adjustment with automated electromechanical control achieves superior temperature precision while reducing the need for user intervention and manual adjustments.
2Reliability
If manual monitoring and adjustment is used, then the device complexity is low, but the cooking consistency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous feedback loop between the temperature sensor, control circuitry, and proportional solenoid valve ensures that the cooking temperature is maintained at the desired level throughout the cooking process. This automated monitoring and adjustment eliminates human error and variability, achieving consistent cooking results reliably.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs self-adjustment by automatically monitoring the temperature and modulating the gas flow rate without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by detecting temperature deviations and correcting them through automated valve adjustment, ensuring consistent cooking outcomes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If no temperature monitoring is implemented, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to prevent scorching is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor provides continuous feedback to the control circuitry, enabling real-time detection of temperature conditions that could lead to scorching. The control system responds by adjusting the gas flow rate to maintain safe temperature levels, preventing harmful effects on the cooking container and food.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system takes preliminary action to prevent scorching by continuously monitoring temperature and proactively adjusting the gas flow rate before damaging temperatures are reached. This anticipatory control prevents the harmful effect of scorching rather than responding after damage occurs.
4Manufacturing precision
If automated control based on temperature feedback is implemented, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback control architecture where the temperature sensor, control circuitry, and proportional solenoid valve work together in a closed loop to achieve precise temperature control. The feedback mechanism enables automatic adjustment based on actual temperature conditions, delivering high precision while automating the control process.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuitry serves multiple functions: it receives temperature sensor signals, processes the temperature data, determines appropriate gas flow rate adjustments, and actuates the proportional solenoid valve. This multi-functional integration consolidates control operations into a single control unit, managing complexity through functional consolidation while maintaining precision.
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
This solution provides precise temperature control and consistent cooking results by automatically adjusting gas flow according to sensed temperatures, ensuring that cooking is done to the desired level without overheating or underheating.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to sense temperature of a cooking container heated by the heating element
Implementation Method 2
a gas burner; a sensor configured to sense temperature of a cooking container heated by the gas burner
Data Source
AI summary
A gas cooktop may include: a gas burner; a sensor configured to sense temperature of a cooking container heated by the gas burner; a valve configured to control flow rate of gas from a gas source to the gas burner; and a control system including circuitry. The control system may start operation of the gas burner; receive sensor signals from the sensor indicating the temperature of the cooking container; and based on received sensor signals representing the sensed temperature of the cooking container and a cooking profile indicating one or more durations and one or more temperatures, control the valve to change the gas flow rate to the gas burner.