Method for adjusting the heating power of at least one heating element of a domestic appliance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In domestic appliances like food processors, temperature sensors measure local temperatures that deviate from actual medium temperatures due to their placement, leading to unreliable and slow heat distribution, especially when the mixer speed is low or the food filling level is high, resulting in inefficient heating.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts heating power by regulating electric energy supply to the heating element, involving a heat-up stage, temperature-holding stage, and stabilization stage, where the heating power is limited and adjusted to reach a stabilization temperature higher than the target temperature, ensuring faster and more uniform heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a temperature sensor is embedded in the mixing vessel bottom for heating regulation, then the heating control can be implemented, but the measured temperature deviates from the actual medium temperature leading to unreliable heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational model that translates the measured bottom temperature into an estimated medium temperature. This intermediary layer reconciles the discrepancy between the sensor location (bottom) and the target measurement (medium temperature), allowing reliable heating control without direct medium contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical contact measurement approach with a computational estimation approach. Instead of placing the sensor directly in the medium, it uses a thermal model to substitute the physical measurement with a calculated value based on heat transfer principles.
2Loss of energy
If the mixer rotates slowly or not at all, then energy consumption is reduced, but heat distribution in the mixing vessel becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that monitors the measured temperature and adjusts the heating power dynamically. When heat distribution is non-uniform (indicated by temperature deviations), the system compensates by adjusting heating intensity, maintaining energy efficiency while ensuring uniform heating over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment of heating parameters based on real-time temperature measurements. The heating power is not static but adapts to the current thermal state of the medium, allowing the system to respond to changing heat distribution conditions without requiring constant mechanical mixing.
3Productivity
If the food filling level in the mixing vessel is too high, then processing capacity is increased, but heat distribution becomes non-uniform and heating efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thermal model as an intermediary to account for the effects of high filling levels on heat distribution. The model compensates for the reduced heat transfer efficiency by calculating appropriate heating adjustments, allowing the system to maintain effective heating even when the medium volume is large.
4Device complexity
If conventional heating regulation is used with measured temperature, then heating control is simple, but the heat-up of the medium occurs slowly and unreliably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the direct use of measured temperature for control with a computationally estimated medium temperature. This substitution adds minimal complexity but dramatically improves heating speed and reliability by providing a more accurate representation of the actual heating state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of the medium temperature estimate before using it for control decisions. This advance computation allows the system to anticipate the actual heating state and adjust control actions proactively, speeding up the heating process while maintaining simplicity.
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
This method enables faster and more efficient heating by addressing temperature discrepancies and heat distribution issues, allowing for quicker and more reliable temperature achievement in food processors.
Implementation Method 1
adjusting the heating power of at least one heating element, e.g. of a resistance heating
Implementation Method 2
heating element, e.g. of a resistance heating, or of a thick film heating, or an inductive coil
Implementation Method 3
a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature at the receiving space, in particular the mixing vessel of the food processor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method (100) for adjusting the heating power of at least one heating element (40) of a domestic appliance (10), wherein the domestic appliance (10) includes a temperature sensor (50) for measuring a temperature (T) in a receiving space (20) of the domestic appliance (10).The following steps are provided:a) performing a heat-up stage (A) with a heating power adjustment such that the temperature (T) aims toward a predetermined target temperature (S),b) performing a temperature-holding stage (B) once the temperature (T) reached the target temperature (S), wherein a limitation of the heating power is effected in the temperature-holding stage (B),c) performing at least one assessment of the temperature (T) using the target temperature (S) during the temperature-holding stage (B), so that an evaluation result is determined,d) performing of a stabilization stage (C), if the evaluation result meets a stabilization criterion, wherein in the stabilization stage (C), the heating power adjustment is effected in such a way that the temperature (T) aims toward a certain stabilization temperature (ST), wherein the stabilization temperature (ST) is higher than the target temperature (S).