Gas-Electric Oven Broiling Without a Second Gas Burner
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional gas cooking ovens require additional, costly components and space for broiling, either with a second gas heating element or a smaller cooking cavity, which increases costs and reduces space efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a gas heating element at the lower portion of the cooking cavity and an electric heating element at the upper portion, controlled by a controller to provide combined thermal radiation for broiling, optimizing heat distribution and efficiency without the need for additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an additional gas heating element is provided in the upper portion of the cooking cavity for broiling, then broiling capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines gas and electric heating elements in a single oven system, where the gas heating element provides convective heating and the electric heating element provides radiant heating for broiling. This merging allows the oven to achieve broiling capability without requiring a separate dedicated gas broiler element, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric heating element serves multiple functions: it acts as a broiling element when activated during broiling cycles, and can also contribute to general oven heating when needed. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a dedicated broiling-only component, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining broiling capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an additional gas heating element is provided in the upper portion of the cooking cavity for broiling, then broiling capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the broiling function into the existing heating system by adding an electric heating element that can serve as a broiler. This approach is more cost-effective than installing a complete second gas heating system, as it utilizes the existing gas heating infrastructure and adds only the necessary electric component for broiling functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric heating element is designed to serve multiple purposes including broiling and general heating, which reduces the need for specialized dedicated components. This multi-functionality lowers manufacturing costs by eliminating redundant parts while maintaining full broiling capability.
3Device complexity
If a smaller cooking cavity is provided to use a single gas heating element for both baking and broiling, then device complexity is reduced, but cooking volume decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines gas and electric heating elements in a single oven system, where the gas heating element provides convective heating and the electric heating element provides radiant heating for broiling. This merging allows the oven to achieve broiling capability without requiring a separate dedicated gas broiler element, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
4Device complexity
If a smaller cooking cavity is provided to use a single gas heating element for both baking and broiling, then device complexity is reduced, but space efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines gas and electric heating elements in a single oven system, where the gas heating element provides convective heating and the electric heating element provides radiant heating for broiling. This merging allows the oven to achieve broiling capability without requiring a separate dedicated gas broiler element, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
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 approach allows for effective broiling with a lower power electric heating element, achieving similar interior and exterior food characteristics to traditional electric ovens while reducing costs and space requirements by using the oven's existing components for enhanced heat distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a primary gas heating element beneath the cooking cavity for heating the air in the cooking cavity
Implementation Method 2
heating the air in the cooking cavity to cook or bake items
Implementation Method 3
an additional gas heating element may be provided in an upper portion of the cooking cavity, within the cooking cavity, to heat items in the cooking cavity with direct heat
Implementation Method 4
provides a flame directly over the items in the cooking cavity to broil the items
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating an oven having a cooking cavity and a gas heating element provided at a lower portion of the cooking cavity and an electric heating element provided at an upper portion of the cooking cavity.