Cooktop appliance with hermetically sealed temperature sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooktop appliances with griddle assemblies face challenges in evenly distributing heat across the cooking surface due to direct heat transfer from burners, leading to hot spots and uneven cooking, and existing temperature sensors are not robust enough for the cooking environment, making it difficult to monitor and adjust heat output effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cooktop appliance design featuring a hermetically sealed temperature sensor embedded in the griddle plate, which includes a base, probe, and contact pad, forming an electrical connection with a terminal block, providing robust and durable temperature measurement capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a griddle extends over multiple burners to provide a flat cooking surface, then the cooking area is increased, but heat distribution becomes uneven creating hot spots
Solution Approach 1:
The griddle is divided into multiple heated zones, each corresponding to a specific burner footprint. Each zone has its own temperature sensor and can be independently controlled, allowing different portions of the griddle to be heated to different temperatures to achieve uniform overall heat distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the griddle are assigned different heating characteristics based on their location and the burners underneath. The controller adjusts the heat output of individual burners to compensate for variations in heat transfer efficiency, ensuring each local area reaches the desired temperature.
2Measurement precision
If traditional temperature sensors are used in the cooking environment, then temperature measurement capability is provided, but the sensors are contaminated by spills and dripping
Solution Approach 1:
A hermetic seal acts as an intermediary barrier between the temperature sensor electronics and the cooking environment. This seal prevents spills, dripping, and steam from contaminating the sensor while allowing the sensor to accurately measure temperature through the sealed interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The hermetic seal uses a thin film or shell structure that is impermeable to liquids and steam but allows thermal energy to pass through, enabling temperature measurement while protecting the electronics from the harsh cooking environment.
3Measurement precision
If traditional temperature sensors are used in the cooking environment, then temperature monitoring is enabled, but the sensors are damaged during cleaning operations
Solution Approach 1:
The hermetic seal serves as a protective intermediary that shields the temperature sensor electronics from water and cleaning agents. This allows the sensor to be submerged during washing or dishwasher cleaning without damage, while still maintaining temperature monitoring capability.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the griddle is heated directly by burners, then heating efficiency is improved, but hot spots are created causing uneven cooking
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensors in each zone provide real-time feedback to the controller about the actual temperature conditions. The controller uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the heat output of individual burners, increasing or decreasing power to specific zones to maintain uniform temperature across the entire griddle surface.
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 ensures consistent and uniform heat distribution across the griddle surface, preventing hot spots and allowing for precise temperature monitoring, enhancing cooking performance and durability in a harsh cooking environment.
Implementation Method 1
a hermetic seal formed in the base
Implementation Method 2
a hermetically sealed temperature sensor embedded in the griddle plate
Implementation Method 3
a contact pad in the base, the contact pad configured to form an electrical connection with the terminal block
Data Source
AI summary
A cooktop appliance includes a panel with a burner disposed on the panel. A griddle plate is configured to be removably positioned over the burner. A hermetically sealed temperature sensor is embedded in the griddle plate. The temperature sensor includes a base, a probe extending from the base, a contact pad in the base, and a hermetic seal formed in the base.