Gas oven with electric and gas heating elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional gas cooking ovens require additional, costly components and space for broiling, either with a secondary gas heating element in the upper cavity or a smaller cooking cavity, which increases costs and reduces space efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An oven design incorporating a low-power electric heating element at the upper portion of the cooking cavity, combined with a gas heating element at the lower portion, and a controller to manage a broiling cycle that activates the gas heating element at less than 100% duty cycle and the electric heating element at 100% duty cycle, providing a combined thermal radiation for efficient broiling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a secondary gas heating element is added to the upper portion of the cooking cavity for broiling, then broiling capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebroiling capabilityVSAvoidnumber of heating elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a gas heating element and an electric heating element into a single integrated heating assembly located in the upper portion of the cooking cavity. The gas heating element provides primary heating power while the electric heating element supplements the thermal output, merging two different heating technologies into one unified structure to achieve broiling capability without adding separate independent components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated heating assembly serves multiple functions: the gas heating element provides main heating power for both baking and broiling operations, while the electric heating element supplements thermal output specifically for broiling. This multi-functional design allows a single assembly to replace what would traditionally require separate gas broiling and baking systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a secondary gas heating element is added to the upper portion of the cooking cavity for broiling, then broiling capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebroiling capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electric heating element serves as a cost-effective supplement to the more expensive gas heating system. By using a relatively simple electric heating element rather than a full secondary gas system, the patent achieves broiling capability at lower manufacturing cost while the electric element's shorter operational life is acceptable given its supplementary role

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a smaller additional cooking cavity is provided beneath the main cooking cavity for broiling, then broiling capability is improved, but cooking cavity volume decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebroiling capabilityVSAvoidcooking cavity volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated heating assembly in the upper portion of the main cooking cavity enables the entire cavity to serve dual purposes: it can function as a full-size baking cavity when the gas heating element operates alone, and it transforms into a broiling cavity when both gas and electric elements operate together. This eliminates the need for a separate dedicated broiling cavity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the broiling function into the main cooking cavity by positioning the integrated heating assembly such that it can provide concentrated thermal radiation for broiling while maintaining the cavity's full volume for food placement. The heating assembly itself occupies minimal space compared to a separate cavity structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration achieves a broiling rate comparable to traditional electric ovens, ensuring even cooking and browning while being cost-effective and space-efficient by utilizing the thermal radiation from both elements and the oven cavity.

Implementation Method 1

a primary gas heating element beneath the cooking cavity for heating the air in the cooking cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

a low power electric heating element disposed at an upper portion of the cooking cavity... providing a combined thermal radiation for efficient broiling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11242995B2Gas oven with electric and gas heating elements

Publication Date: 2022.02.08 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

An oven has a housing defining a cooking cavity. A door is configured to open and close to provide access to the cooking cavity. At least one gas heating element is provided at a lower portion of the cooking cavity, and an electric heating element is provided at an upper portion of the cooking cavity.