Oven Liner Temperature Sensing for Precise Cooking Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oven temperature control systems rely on feedback from a single temperature sensor within the oven cavity, which is sensitive to various environmental changes and lacks accuracy, leading to inconsistent cooking performance.
Innovation Solution
An oven control system that includes a temperature sensor attached to the oven liner to detect the temperature of the panels, allowing the controller to energize the heating element based on the detected panel temperature, providing more accurate temperature measurement and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is mounted within the oven cavity to measure temperature, then the sensor can detect temperature values, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to sensitivity to environmental changes such as air flow, door opening, and thermal energy variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by measuring the temperature of the oven liner (a stable structural component) rather than directly measuring the air temperature in the cavity. The liner acts as a thermal intermediary that provides a more stable and reliable temperature reference point, reducing sensitivity to transient environmental factors like air flow and door opening while still accurately representing the cooking environment temperature
2Device complexity
If a single temperature sensor is used in the oven cavity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cooking performance accuracy deteriorates due to insufficient temperature data for optimal control
Solution Approach 1:
The oven liner serves a dual function: it provides structural support for the oven cavity and simultaneously acts as a temperature sensing surface. By coupling the temperature sensor to the liner, the system utilizes the liner's inherent thermal properties to provide accurate temperature feedback without requiring additional complex sensor arrangements or multiple sensors within the cavity
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 approach enables more precise control of oven temperature, reduces the risk of enamel crazing, and allows for the use of higher wattage heating elements, improving cooking performance and self-cleaning efficiency by monitoring surface temperatures rather than internal cavity temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor coupled to a panel of the oven, the temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the panel of the oven
Implementation Method 2
a heating element thermally coupled to the oven liner
Data Source
AI summary
An oven includes an oven liner defined by front, top, bottom, back and side panels, a heating element thermally coupled to the oven liner, a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of a panel of the oven cavity, and a controller operatively coupled to the temperature sensor and the heating element. The controller is configured to energize the heating element as a function of the detected temperature.