Electric Oven Broil Heater Layout for Fast, Even Preheating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric ovens face challenges in preheating the cooking chamber quickly and uniformly, often resulting in excessive power consumption and non-uniform temperature distribution, especially when using broil or convection heaters alone or in combination.

Innovation Solution

An electric oven design featuring at least two individually operable broil heaters, a convection heater, and a bake heater, allowing for strategic operation of these heaters to achieve rapid and uniform preheating within the limits of the oven's maximum wattage, with the option to switch between broil heaters to maintain efficient power use and temperature distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a single broil heater is used for preheating, then the preheating speed is improved, but the temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreheating speedVSAvoidtemperature distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The single broil heater is divided into multiple segments (first and second broil heaters) positioned at different locations within the cooking chamber. Each segment can be independently controlled, allowing simultaneous operation of multiple segments to accelerate preheating while maintaining uniform temperature distribution through coordinated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple broil heater segments are combined to work together during preheating operations. The first and second broil heaters can operate simultaneously or in sequence, merging their heating effects to achieve both rapid preheating and uniform temperature distribution across the cooking chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Speed

If multiple heaters are operated simultaneously, then the preheating speed is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreheating speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The operation of multiple heaters is made dynamic rather than static. The control system dynamically adjusts which heaters operate and when, switching between different heater combinations based on real-time temperature conditions and power consumption constraints. This allows the system to maximize preheating speed while staying within power limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Heaters are operated in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The system alternates between operating different heater segments, allowing some heaters to cool down while others are active, thereby reducing peak power consumption while maintaining effective preheating progress through repeated heating cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of time

If the maximum wattage is utilized for preheating, then the preheating time is reduced, but the risk of excessive power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreheating timeVSAvoidpower consumption safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor temperature distribution and power consumption levels. Based on this feedback, the system intelligently adjusts heater operation to maintain optimal preheating speed while ensuring power consumption remains within safe limits, thus reducing preheating time without compromising safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters dynamically during preheating, adjusting which heaters are active and at what power levels based on real-time conditions. This allows the system to maximize preheating efficiency while adapting to power constraints, reducing preheating time while maintaining safe operating parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables rapid and uniform preheating of the cooking chamber while keeping power consumption within limits, enhancing cooking efficiency and convenience by allowing flexible heater operation based on food characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

the broil heater 81 is capable of heating food within a short time by radiant heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiant heat: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

The convection heater 83 transfers heat mainly by convection and is capable of making the temperature of the inside of the cooking chamber 20 to be uniform within a short time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

an electric oven is a cooking appliance for heating food with dry heat... operated by electricity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS8138453B2Electric oven with multiple broil heaters and method for preheating the electric oven

Publication Date: 2012.03.20 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A electric oven is provided that includes a body, a cooking chamber located within the body for receiving food, the cooking chamber having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a rear surface joining the upper surface to the lower surface, at least one of a convection heater located at the rear surface of the cooking chamber and a bake heater located at the lower surface of the cooking chamber, and at least two broil heaters located at the upper surface of the cooking chamber, each of the at least two broil heaters being individually operable. Methods for preheating the electric oven are also provided.