Oven Heating Element Segmentation for Peak Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electromechanically controlled cooking appliances, such as oven heaters, face challenges in reducing peak power consumption without requiring expensive electronic control systems, as existing solutions often involve simple on/off switching or complete power cutoff, which are not effective in managing peak demand efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes at least two separately controllable heating elements in an oven cavity, an electromechanical switching device, and an electronic control unit capable of receiving utility state signals to selectively enable or disable heating elements, allowing for energy-saving modes that adjust or delay power usage during peak demand periods without eliminating the entire heater.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If simple on/off switching is used to reduce peak power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the control capability is insufficient and cannot efficiently manage peak demand
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is divided into multiple independently controllable segments or zones. Instead of switching the entire heater on/off, the control system can selectively activate or deactivate specific segments, providing granular control over power consumption while maintaining operational flexibility and heat distribution.
2Use of energy by moving object
If complete power cutoff is used to reduce peak power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the heating function is eliminated entirely
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the heating element into multiple independently controllable zones, the system can maintain heating functionality in some zones while reducing or eliminating power to other zones during peak demand periods. This ensures the heating function remains reliable and operational rather than being completely cutoff.
3Measurement precision
If expensive electronic control systems are used to achieve selective control of heating elements, then control precision is improved, but the system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is segmented into multiple independently controllable zones with individual switching devices for each segment. This segmentation enables precise control over which portions of the heater are active, allowing selective power reduction during peak demand while maintaining overall system functionality and avoiding the need for expensive centralized electronic control systems.
4Device complexity
If electromechanical control is used in conventional appliances, then system cost is reduced, but the ability to implement demand response control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the heating element into multiple independently controllable segments with individual electromechanical switching devices, the system maintains cost-effectiveness while gaining the adaptability to respond to utility demand signals. The segmented architecture allows flexible power management across different zones, enabling demand response control without requiring expensive electronic control systems.
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 solution effectively reduces both peak and average power consumption in electromechanically controlled cooking appliances by enabling selective control of heating elements, thereby helping utility companies manage peak demand without significant changes to conventional appliance designs or costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one power consuming unit comprising at least two separately controllable elements
Data Source
AI summary
A system for reducing peak power usage in a cooking appliance having an oven cavity therein is provided. The system includes at least one power consuming unit with at least two separately controllable elements, a user adjustable electromechanical switching device for controlling energization of the at least one power consuming unit, a control configured to receive and process a utility state signal indicative of the current state of an associated utility; and an element switching device responsive to the control and configured to selectively enable and disable energization of one of the elements in response to the utility state signal.