Multi-Layer Cooking Wall With Thick-Film Heating for Uniform Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking appliances face challenges in achieving uniform and efficient heating, particularly in rapidly heating and cooling large areas, while also managing thermal expansion and mechanical stress on heating elements.
Innovation Solution
A combination of a multi-layer material wall with a thick-film heater applied directly, allowing for horizontal heat flow and adjustable heating zones, which reduces thermal conductivity and linear expansion coefficients from the heating side to the cooking surface, eliminating the need for compensating layers and enabling energy-efficient and durable cooking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a thick-film heater is applied directly to a multi-layer material wall, then rapid heating and cooling is achieved, but thermal expansion differences cause mechanical stress on the heating elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-layer composite wall structure with specific thermal conductivity gradients. The layers are designed with decreasing thermal conductivity from the heating side to the cooking surface, which creates a compensating effect on thermal expansion and reduces mechanical stress on the thick-film heater during rapid temperature changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the thermal conductivity parameters of each layer in the multi-layer wall. By carefully selecting and adjusting the thermal conductivity values of different layers, the system achieves rapid heat transfer to the food while simultaneously managing thermal expansion forces to protect the heating elements.
2Temperature
If the entire wall surface is equipped with thick-film heaters, then uniform heating is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating function into segments by placing thick-film heaters only in specific zones rather than covering the entire wall surface. The multi-layer material's horizontal heat flow capability ensures that heat is distributed uniformly across the cooking surface, eliminating the need for complete surface coverage while maintaining temperature uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer material acts as an intermediary that receives heat from localized thick-film heaters and distributes it horizontally across the entire cooking surface. This mediator function allows selective heater placement while achieving uniform heating, reducing system complexity.
3Productivity
If thermal conductivity is increased for rapid heating, then heating efficiency improves, but mechanical stress and thermal expansion problems worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different thermal conductivity properties to different regions of the wall structure. The layer adjacent to the heater has higher thermal conductivity for efficient heat absorption, while subsequent layers have progressively lower conductivity to manage thermal expansion and protect heating elements, creating a gradient that balances efficiency and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer structure is specifically designed to compensate for thermal expansion effects. By arranging layers with appropriate thermal conductivity and expansion characteristics, the system accommodates thermal growth during rapid heating cycles, preventing damage to the thick-film heaters while maintaining high heating efficiency.
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 combination results in rapid heating and cooling, improved heat distribution, energy savings, and extended appliance life by reducing mechanical stress and heating temperatures, while maintaining uniform heat input across the cooking surface.
Implementation Method 1
each heating element being in direct contact with the multi-layer material
Implementation Method 2
the heat flow is distributed horizontally within the multi-layer material due to the horizontal heat flow
Implementation Method 3
a partial compensation of different coefficients of thermal expansion
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The apparatus (1) has a wall (2) heated in zones using heaters (4, 12) which define a heating element layer (6) in a form of a thick layer applied on the wall. The wall is realized by three multi-layered materials (2a-2c) and forms a base of the apparatus, where heat produced in the zones is diffused through the materials for uniform heating of the wall. The heaters are arranged in a removable manner at the wall using a screwed connection part (14). The materials (2a, 2c) are made of stainless steel and the material (2b) is made of aluminum, aluminum alloy or copper alloy.