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 their cooking plates due to the use of thermistors, which indirectly measure temperature, leading to errors and inefficient preheating, as they measure air temperature rather than the plate's temperature, resulting in unreliable temperature control.
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 air within the cover, ensuring accurate temperature measurement and control by matching temperature rise characteristics, and a display unit to provide user-friendly temperature information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a thermistor is used to indirectly measure the temperature of the cooking plate by measuring the temperature of air around the cooking plate, then a system for displaying temperature information can be implemented, but the measurement reliability is low due to the difference in thermal properties between the cooking plate and air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator object (the housing or cover with thermal mass) that transfers thermal energy from the cooking plate to the thermistor. This mediator has thermal properties that bridge the gap between the cooking plate and air, allowing the thermistor to accurately measure plate temperature through indirect thermal contact while maintaining the ability to provide temperature information to the display system
2Measurement precision
If a contact sensor is used to directly measure the temperature of the cooking plate, then reliable temperature measurement can be obtained, but the sensor cannot generate an electrical signal for display systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thermal intermediary (housing/cover structure) that physically contacts the cooking plate and transfers its temperature to the thermistor. This allows the non-contact thermistor to obtain accurate temperature data equivalent to direct contact sensing, while the thermistor's electrical signal capability enables display system integration
3Device complexity
If a thermistor measuring air temperature is used, then the system can be simpler, but the preheating time is extended due to inaccurate temperature control
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal intermediary (housing/cover) with appropriate thermal mass accelerates heat transfer from the cooking plate to the thermistor, providing rapid and accurate temperature feedback. This enables the simple thermistor-based system to achieve precise temperature control, thereby reducing preheating time while maintaining low device complexity
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 allows for precise temperature control and faster preheating of the griddle, reducing the cooking time and enhancing user safety by providing accurate temperature information, ensuring the cooking plate reaches and maintains the set temperature with high accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
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
Implementation Method 2
a burner provided in the housing to heat the cooking plate
Data Source
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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.