Cooktop appliance and sensor assembly for a griddle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooktop appliances face challenges in accurately measuring the temperature of the cooking surface due to the placement of temperature sensors, which can be cumbersome and prone to damage when the griddle plate is removed or moved.
Innovation Solution
A griddle assembly with a spring-loaded platform and a sensor body attached in biased conductive engagement with the bottom surface of the cooking platter, allowing for precise temperature measurement without direct affixation to the cooking surface, ensuring accuracy and preventing sensor damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is mounted directly to the griddle plate, then temperature measurement precision is improved, but the sensor becomes prone to damage during cleaning or movement
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is segmented into a sensor body and a separate mounting platform that attaches to the griddle plate. This allows the sensor to be physically separated from direct contact with the cooking surface, reducing damage risk while maintaining measurement accuracy through conductive coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
A mounting platform acts as an intermediary between the sensor body and the griddle plate. This intermediate structure provides mechanical support and thermal conduction while isolating the sensor from direct exposure to harsh cleaning conditions and physical stress.
2Reliability
If the temperature sensor is mounted apart from the griddle plate, then sensor reliability is improved, but temperature measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting platform serves as a thermal intermediary that conducts heat from the griddle plate to the sensor body. This maintains accurate temperature measurement while keeping the sensor physically separated from the cooking surface for improved reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting platform combines multiple functions: mechanical attachment to the griddle plate, thermal conduction to the sensor, and structural support. This integration ensures both reliability through separation and precision through maintained thermal coupling.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is affixed directly to the cooking surface, then temperature detection accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome cleaning and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into removable and fixed components. The mounting platform can be detached from the griddle plate, allowing easy removal of the cooking surface for cleaning while the sensor remains in place, improving ease of operation without sacrificing measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor body is extracted from direct contact with the cooking surface and mounted on a separate platform. This extraction allows the griddle plate to be easily removed and cleaned independently, significantly improving ease of operation while the sensor continues to accurately measure temperature through the platform's thermal conduction.
4Ease of operation
If the griddle plate is removed for cleaning, then ease of operation is improved, but the sensor may become damaged or disconnected
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is segmented into a permanently mounted sensor body and a removable mounting platform that attaches to the griddle plate. When the plate is removed for cleaning, the platform can be detached along with it, leaving the sensor body intact and connected to the appliance, ensuring connection reliability is maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting platform acts as a detachable intermediary between the sensor and griddle plate. This design allows the plate to be freely removed for cleaning while the sensor remains securely connected to the appliance through its mounting structure, preventing damage or disconnection.
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 enables consistent and precise temperature detection, allowing for accurate heat control and preventing sensor damage during cleaning or movement of the griddle plate.
Implementation Method 1
The spring-loaded platform may be mounted below the cooking platter. The sensor body may be attached to the spring-loaded platform in biased conductive engagement with bottom surface.
Implementation Method 2
The sensor body may be attached to the spring-loaded platform in biased conductive engagement with bottom surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooktop appliance or griddle assembly may include a cooking platter, a spring-loaded platform, and a sensor body. The cooking platter may define a top surface and a bottom surface. The spring-loaded platform may be mounted below the cooking platter. The sensor body may be attached to the spring-loaded platform in biased conductive engagement with bottom surface.