Heating assembly and method for controlling the same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating assemblies in domestic and professional appliances, such as cooking devices, face issues with uniform heat distribution and operational failure when a single heating element malfunctions, requiring complex repairs and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A heating assembly design featuring interwoven elongated electric heating elements with a control unit and heat sensing device, allowing for individual power adjustment to compensate for failures and maintain uniform heat distribution without the need for immediate repair.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If multiple heating elements are used to heat the cooking surface, then the heating coverage and capacity are improved, but the reliability deteriorates because the appliance cannot function properly if a single heating element fails

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating capacityVSAvoidoperational reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is segmented into multiple independent heating elements (first heating element and second heating element) that can operate independently. Each heating element is controlled separately through individual power supply circuits, allowing one element to compensate when another fails, thus maintaining overall system reliability while preserving heating capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit dynamically changes the power parameter supplied to each heating element based on detected heat anomalies. When a heating element failure is detected, the control unit adjusts the power distribution to remaining functional elements to compensate for the failure, maintaining uniform heat distribution and system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If heating elements are embedded in the main body for good heat transfer, then the heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates since heating elements cannot be easily changed when needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

Each heating element is designed as a separate, modular component with independent electrical connections. This segmentation allows individual heating elements to be accessed and replaced without disturbing other elements or requiring disassembly of the main body, maintaining both heat transfer efficiency and ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates automatic failure detection and compensation capabilities through the control unit and heat sensing device. When a heating element fails, the system automatically detects the anomaly and adjusts power distribution to remaining elements, enabling the system to service itself without immediate human intervention for repairs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If heating elements are arranged to cover the entire cooking surface, then the uniformity of heat distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple elements and control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of heat distributionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking surface is divided into multiple heating zones, each served by a separate heating element. This segmentation allows each element to be independently controlled and monitored, simplifying the control logic while achieving uniform heat distribution across the entire surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heat sensing device provides continuous feedback to the control unit about the thermal state of the cooking surface. The control unit uses this feedback to automatically adjust the power supplied to each heating element, maintaining uniform heat distribution without requiring complex manual control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Ensures proper and uniform heating of the cooking surface even if a single heating element fails, allowing the appliance to function without immediate repair by adjusting power to other elements based on detected heat anomalies.

Implementation Method 1

elongate electric heating elements are used as heat source, these elements being arranged in a suitable number in the lower layer of the griddle for transferring heat to it via conduction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The heating assembly comprises a heat sensing device connected to the control unit so as to adjust the power supplied to each heating element according to the heat sensed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal detection: Thermography

Implementation Method 3

the heating assembly comprises a control unit for controlling the power supplied to the plurality of heating elements, wherein each of the heating elements can be individually controlled by the control unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFeedback control: Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3398399B1Heating assembly and method for controlling the same
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 ELECTROLUX PROFESSIONAL SPA
  • EP3398399B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3398399B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3398399B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A heating assembly (100) for a domestic or a professional appliance comprises a main body (1) and a plurality of heating elements (2, 3) embedded in said main body (1). The heating elements (2) comprises at least one first heating element (2) and at least one second heating element (3), said first heating element (2) being shaped so as to define a folded section (20). A portion (34) of said second heating element (3) is located between a leading part (21) and a trailing part (22) of the folded section (20) defined in the first heating element (2).