Inductive Temperature Sensing in Cooking Appliances for Safe Low-Temp Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking appliances face challenges with accurate temperature control during low-temperature cooking due to high costs associated with Bluetooth devices and safety risks from direct electrical connections between temperature sensors and the appliance's electric circuit.

Innovation Solution

A cooking appliance design featuring a communication device with a first sensing device and a second sensing device, utilizing coils for wireless signal transmission, allowing the temperature sensor to be isolated from the electric control circuit, thereby reducing costs and enhancing safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If Bluetooth devices are used for wireless communication between temperature sensor and product, then wireless signal transmission is achieved, but cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless signal transmissionVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electronic Bluetooth communication system with a magnetic field-based inductive coupling system using coils. The first coil in the product and second coil in the temperature sensor establish wireless communication through magnetic coupling, eliminating the need for complex Bluetooth modules and reducing cost while maintaining wireless functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic field coupling as an intermediary mechanism between the product and temperature sensor. The coils generate and transmit signals through magnetic fields rather than direct electrical connection or complex wireless protocols, providing a simple and cost-effective communication path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If temperature sensor is directly connected with electric circuit of product via wire, then signal transmission is achieved, but electric safety risks increase due to inability to achieve complete electric isolation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmissionVSAvoidelectric safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct electrical wire connections with magnetic field-based inductive coupling. The coils transmit signals through magnetic fields without electrical contact, achieving complete electric isolation between the product circuit and temperature sensor while maintaining reliable signal transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field serves as an intermediary that transfers information between the product and temperature sensor without requiring electrical contact. This intermediary mechanism provides inherent electric isolation, eliminating safety risks associated with direct wire connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If Bluetooth devices are used for temperature monitoring, then accurate temperature control is achieved, but production efficiency decreases due to one-by-one pairing requirement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control accuracyVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces Bluetooth pairing procedures with a simple magnetic coupling mechanism. The coils are positioned to automatically couple when components are assembled, eliminating the need for complex pairing procedures and enabling straightforward production assembly while maintaining temperature monitoring accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Achieves accurate temperature control during low-temperature cooking while minimizing costs and ensuring electrical safety by using a wireless communication method between the temperature sensor and the main control device.

Implementation Method 1

the first sensing device comprises a first coil, the second sensing device comprises a second coil, and the second coil is capable of coupling with the first coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3616572B1Cooking appliance
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 FOSHAN SHUNDE MIDEA ELECTRICAL HEATING APPLIANCES MFG CO LTD
  • EP3616572B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3616572B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3616572B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided is a cooking appliance (100), comprising a main control device (10), a temperature sensor (4) and a communication device. The main control device (10) is disposed on one of a pot body (1) and an upper cover (2); the temperature sensor (4) can be placed in an inner pot (3); the communication device comprises a first sensing device (5) and a second sensing device (6) which are correspondingly disposed, the first sensing device (5) is disposed on one of the pot body (1) and the upper cover (2), and is electrically connected to the main control device (10), the first sensing device (5) comprises a first coil (51), the second sensing device (6) is disposed on the pot body (1) or on the upper cover (2), the second sensing device (6) comprises a second coil (61) electrically connected to the temperature sensor (4), and the second coil (61) is capable of coupling with the first coil (51). The temperature sensor (4) in the cooking appliance (100) transmits the detected temperature signal to the main control device (10) through a coupling action of the first sensing device (5) and the second sensing device (6), achieving accurate temperature control of the temperature of the food in the inner pot (3) during cooking.