Griddle and cooking appliance having a griddle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas griddles face challenges in accurately measuring and controlling the temperature of the cooking plate due to the difference in thermal properties between the iron plate and the air measured by thermistors, leading to unreliable temperature readings and inefficient preheating.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensor module with a cover having a heat capacity equivalent to the cooking plate, where a thermistor measures the temperature of the air within the cover, providing an electrical signal for accurate temperature display and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a thermistor is used to measure the temperature of the cooking plate indirectly by measuring the temperature of the air around the cooking plate, then a system for displaying temperature information can be implemented, but the measurement reliability is reduced due to the difference in thermal properties between the cooking plate and air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator substance (substance 10) with thermal properties similar to the cooking plate (substance 2) to bridge the measurement gap. The thermistor (sensor 8) measures the temperature of this mediator instead of air, and the mediator's temperature closely follows the cooking plate's temperature due to thermal contact and similar thermal properties, thus achieving both indirect measurement capability and high measurement reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The mediator substance 10 acts as a thermal copy of the cooking plate 2, having similar thermal properties and thermal expansion characteristics. By measuring the temperature of this thermal copy instead of the actual cooking plate directly or the surrounding air, the system obtains accurate temperature information that reflects the cooking plate's true temperature state
2Measurement precision
If a contact sensor is used to directly measure the temperature of the cooking plate, then reliable temperature measurement is achieved, but the ability to generate electrical signals for display systems is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The mediator substance 10 serves as an intermediary between the cooking plate 2 and the thermistor sensor 8. It maintains thermal contact with the cooking plate to accurately reflect its temperature, while simultaneously being accessible to the thermistor for electrical signal generation, thus bridging the gap between reliable measurement and display capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the contact sensor (mechanical/electrical contact system) with a thermistor-based system that measures temperature through thermal conduction in a mediator substance. This substitution maintains measurement reliability while enabling electrical signal generation for digital display systems
3Device complexity
If the temperature measurement system measures air temperature instead of cooking plate temperature, then the system complexity is reduced, but the preheating control accuracy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mediator substance 10 provides a simple yet effective solution by being placed in thermal contact with the cooking plate 2. The thermistor sensor 8 simply measures the temperature of this mediator, avoiding complex direct contact mechanisms while ensuring the measured temperature accurately reflects the cooking plate's temperature for precise preheating control
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 precise temperature control and measurement of the cooking plate, reducing preheating time and enhancing user safety by providing accurate temperature information.
Implementation Method 1
a thermistor measures the temperature of the air within the cover, providing an electrical signal for accurate temperature display and control
Implementation Method 2
A temperature sensor module with a cover having a heat capacity equivalent to the cooking plate
Implementation Method 3
where a thermistor measures the temperature of the air within the cover, providing an electrical signal for accurate temperature display and control
Implementation Method 4
a gas burner arranged under a cooking plate. In the gas griddles, flames generated by burning a gas in the gas burner heat the cooking plate
Data Source
AI summary
A griddle and a cooking appliance having a griddle are provided. The griddle may include a housing having an accommodation space formed therein and an open top, a heating plate formed to have a predetermined width and length and seated on a top of the housing, a burner provided in the housing to heat the heating plate, and a temperature sensor module provided in the housing to measure a temperature of the heating plate. The temperature sensor module may include a cover provided in the housing and having an accommodation space formed therein, and a temperature sensor provided in the housing with at least a portion thereof accommodated in the accommodation space of the cover to measure a temperature of an inside of the cover.