Oven Imaging Device Thermal Management for Multi-Angle Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of kitchen appliances like ovens often need to open the door to view contents from angles not visible through the transparent window, which can disrupt the cooking process by altering the oven's temperature and affecting cooking quality.
Innovation Solution
An oven with a camera mounted within the cooking cavity's walls, insulated and cooled by a thermal management system, allowing real-time monitoring of contents through a display without opening the door, and equipped with a heat sink and auxiliary fan for effective heat dissipation and vibration control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a transparent window is provided on the oven door for viewing contents, then users can monitor cooking progress, but only one view angle is available and users must open the door to see other sides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single 2D window view to a 360-degree omnidirectional viewing system using multiple image sensors positioned at different angles within the cooking cavity, enabling users to view contents from all directions without opening the door
2Loss of information
If the door is opened to view contents from different angles, then complete visual inspection is possible, but temperature drops and cooking quality is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses image sensors to create visual copies of the contents from multiple angles, replacing the need for physical door opening and direct visual inspection, thereby maintaining temperature while providing complete visual information
3Loss of information
If an imaging device is mounted within the cooking cavity to enable multi-angle viewing, then complete visual monitoring is achieved, but the imaging device is exposed to high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into multiple separate image sensors positioned at different locations and angles within the cooking cavity, with each sensor capturing a specific view angle, collectively providing complete 360-degree coverage while distributing thermal exposure across multiple components
4Loss of information
If multiple image sensors are positioned at different angles within the cooking cavity, then complete visual monitoring is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal imaging architecture where multiple image sensors follow the same design specifications and mounting patterns, allowing them to be controlled and processed through a single unified system interface, thereby managing complexity while achieving multi-angle coverage
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
Enables users to monitor cooking progress without temperature fluctuations, ensuring consistent cooking quality and providing clear, unblurred images of contents from various angles without opening the oven door.
Implementation Method 1
insulation located in the channel
Implementation Method 2
an imaging device mounted in the channel in thermal engagement with the insulation
Data Source
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AI summary
An oven (10) can include an oven body (12, 112) having a peripheral wall (14, 114) at least partially defining a cooking cavity (32, 132) with a top wall (16, 116) comprising spaced interior panels (18, 118) and exterior panels (20, 120) defining a channel (22, 122) therebetween. Furthermore, the oven can include insulation (23) located in the channel (22, 122) and an imaging device (40, 140) with a field of view (42, 142) including at least a portion of the cooking cavity (32, 132).