Grill Zone Temperature Display Using Profile-Based Sensor Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grill temperature measurement systems often inaccurately represent the temperature at the cooking surface due to sensor placement limitations, as sensors are typically mounted on or near the grill walls, not directly at the cooking location.
Innovation Solution
A temperature display system that includes temperature sensors paired with control knobs for different zones, a controller to interpret sensor readings using empirically determined temperature profiles, and a display to indicate actual cooking surface temperatures, allowing for accurate temperature indication across various grill configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If temperature sensors are mounted on or near grill walls for ease of installation, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates because the sensor cannot accurately represent the temperature at the cooking surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces temperature profiles as an intermediary computational model that mediates between the easily installed wall-mounted sensor and the desired cooking surface temperature measurement. The controller uses the sensor reading combined with the selected temperature profile to calculate and display the actual cooking surface temperature, effectively decoupling sensor placement from measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically placing the sensor at the cooking surface with a computational approach using temperature profiles. Instead of moving the sensor to the ideal location, the system uses algorithms and empirical data to calculate what the temperature would be at the cooking surface based on the easily obtained wall-mounted sensor reading.
2Device complexity
If a single temperature sensor is used to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates for multi-zone grills where different zones have different temperature characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature measurement system by associating different temperature profiles with different control zones. Each zone can have its own selected temperature profile that accounts for its specific thermal characteristics, allowing the system to handle multi-zone grills while maintaining relative simplicity through the modular profile selection approach.
3Adaptability or versatility
If temperature profiles are made configurable for different grill setups, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases due to multiple profile configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple temperature profiles that correspond to different grill setups and configurations. These profiles are prepared in advance and stored in the controller, allowing users to simply select from pre-defined options rather than configuring complex parameters from scratch. This reduces the operational complexity while maintaining high adaptability to different grill configurations.
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
Provides accurate temperature indications for each zone of a grill, enabling precise temperature control and versatility across different grill configurations and components, ensuring user safety and optimal cooking conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A temperature sensor, such as a thermocouple, can register a temperature in an environment and emit a signal indicative of a measured temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature display and/or control system is disclosed for a cooing apparatus, such as a grill, comprising a plurality of individual zones to provide individual zone temperatures. Each zone of the grill is associated with a temperature sensor, such as a thermocouple, and a visual indicator to indicate the zone temperature, such as control knob bearing a multi-color LED. A controller obtains a signal from the temperature sensor indicating a raw temperature and converts the raw temperature to an actual zone temperature based on a temperature profile selected for the zone. The temperature profile is configurable for each zone based on a configuration of the zone in order to maintain an accurate temperature conversion despite alterations to an environment.