Modular Cooktop Griddle System for Uniform Heat Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooktop appliances with multiple gas burners often result in uneven heat distribution across a griddle, leading to 'hot spots' and difficulties in balancing heat output, which can cause uneven cooking and overheating.
Innovation Solution
A modular cooktop appliance design featuring a frame that supports a griddle plate or grates over multiple burners, with embedded temperature sensors and pogo pin terminal blocks for precise temperature control, allowing for closed-loop cooking and uniform heat distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple gas burners are used to heat a griddle, then the heating area is increased, but uneven heat distribution and hot spots occur
Solution Approach 1:
A heat distributing plate is introduced as an intermediary component between multiple gas burners and the griddle. This plate receives heat from multiple burners and redistributes it uniformly across the entire griddle surface, preventing hot spots while maintaining expanded heating area.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system is segmented into multiple independent gas burners that can be controlled individually, with each burner contributing to the overall heat distribution. This allows flexible control of heat input from different zones while the heat distributing plate integrates these inputs into uniform output.
2Area of stationary object
If an integrated griddle is used over multiple burners, then the griddle size is increased, but airflow to burners is blocked and combustion is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the griddle from the burners by introducing a heat distributing plate as an intermediate component. This segmentation allows the griddle to be large and span multiple burners while maintaining proper airflow to each burner, as the heat distributing plate does not block burner access.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat distributing plate serves as a mediator that transfers heat from burners to the griddle without physically blocking the burners. This intermediary structure enables large griddle sizes while preserving unobstructed airflow and combustion quality.
3Temperature
If an elongated burner is used to heat a griddle, then heat distribution is improved, but the burner utility for other cooking tasks is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple standard-sized gas burners are used instead of a single elongated burner. These standard burners can be used independently for various cooking tasks beyond griddle heating, providing versatility. When the griddle is in use, all burners work together through the heat distributing plate to achieve uniform heat distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts between different cooking modes: when the griddle is present, multiple burners work together through the heat distributing plate for uniform heating; when the griddle is removed, the same burners can be used individually for traditional cooking tasks, maximizing versatility.
4Power
If multiple burners are used with a griddle, then the heating capacity is increased, but temperature control becomes difficult and overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensors are embedded in the heat distributing plate to provide real-time feedback on the griddle surface temperature. This feedback is used by a controller to automatically adjust the operation of individual burners, maintaining uniform temperature distribution and preventing overheating while utilizing the full heating capacity of multiple burners.
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
The solution ensures even heating across the griddle surface, preventing hot spots and allowing for precise temperature adjustments, thereby ensuring consistent cooking results.
Implementation Method 1
heat from the burners of the appliance is directly transferred to the griddle according to the footprint of the burner
Implementation Method 2
burners may be included with each heated portion. The heated portions utilize one or more heating sources to output heat, which is transferred to the cooking utensil
Implementation Method 3
The griddle plate includes a first embedded temperature sensor above the first burner and a second embedded temperature sensor above the second burner
Data Source
AI summary
A cooktop appliance includes a panel with a first burner disposed on the panel and a second burner spaced apart from the first burner on the panel. A frame of the cooktop appliance is removably mounted to the panel. The frame is configured to selectively support two or more grates or a griddle plate over the first burner and the second burner. The cooktop appliance may include a first pogo pin terminal block positioned on the panel adjacent to the first burner and a second pogo pin terminal block positioned on the panel adjacent to the second burner. The frame may include a first sleeve which encloses first connectors of the first pogo pin terminal block and a second sleeve which encloses second connectors of the second pogo pin terminal block on four sides. The griddle plate or the grates may include two or more embedded temperature sensors.