Heating Cooker Sensor Protection Using Shutter and Ventilation Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heating cookers face challenges in protecting sensors from heat damage and contamination within the cooking chamber, as existing solutions either expose sensors to heat or allow contaminants to reach them.
Innovation Solution
A heating cooker design featuring a ventilation path with a detector and shutter system, where sensors are rotated to face detection holes only when in use, and a cooling fan cools both the sensors and shutter, with the shutter being designed to close detection holes when not in use to prevent contamination and heat exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor is exposed to the cooking chamber through an opening for detection, then detection performance is improved, but the sensor is damaged by heat and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the movable cylinder portion rotatable to change its position dynamically. The cylinder can rotate between a first position where it covers the opening to protect the sensor, and a second position where it exposes the opening for detection. This dynamic positioning allows the system to switch between protection mode and detection mode, resolving the contradiction between sensor protection and detection performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable cylinder portion serves as an intermediary element between the sensor and the cooking chamber. It acts as a protective barrier that can be positioned to cover the opening, preventing direct exposure of the sensor to heat and contaminants. When detection is needed, the cylinder rotates to allow the sensor to detect through the opening without being directly exposed to harmful conditions.
2Reliability
If the movable cylinder portion covers the opening to protect the sensor, then contamination is prevented, but heat from the cooking chamber damages the sensor through the cylinder
Solution Approach 1:
The air layer introduced between the movable cylinder portion and the sensor serves as a thermal intermediary. This air gap acts as thermal insulation, reducing heat transfer from the hot cylinder (which is exposed to the cooking chamber) to the sensor. The air layer allows the cylinder to cover the opening for protection while preventing heat damage to the sensor through the cylinder wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic principles by introducing air into the space between the movable cylinder portion and the sensor. This air injection creates a cooling effect and thermal barrier, preventing heat accumulation in the cylinder and subsequent heat transfer to the sensor. The pneumatic system manages the air flow to maintain temperature control during the covering operation.
3Productivity
If the sensor is continuously exposed to the cooking chamber, then detection is always available, but the detection surface is contaminated by steam or food residue
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic control of the movable cylinder portion to balance detection availability with contamination prevention. The cylinder rotates to expose the opening during detection operations and covers it during non-detection periods. This dynamic switching allows the system to maintain high productivity when detection is needed while ensuring reliability by protecting the detection surface from contamination during idle times.
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
Effectively prevents sensor damage from heat and contamination, maintaining detection performance while reducing the risk of sensor deterioration and contamination, ensuring reliable operation and extended lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling fan configured to suck outside air and blow the outside air into the ventilation path so as to cool the detector and the shutter together
Data Source
AI summary
A heating cooker including a case including a cooking chamber configured to receive an object to be heated, a door configured to open and close the cooking chamber of the case, a ventilation path provided to extend along a wall surface of the cooking chamber in a state of being partitioned from the cooking chamber, a detector installed in the inside of the ventilation path and including one or more sensors configured to detect information on the inside of the cooking chamber through one or more detection holes formed on the wall surface of the cooking chamber, a shutter installed in the inside of the ventilation path and configured to open and close the one or more detection holes, and a cooling fan configured to suck outside air and blow the outside air into the ventilation path so as to cool the detector and the shutter together.