Oven Sensor Assembly With Ambient-Air Cooling Near the Cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oven sensor systems face challenges in accurately monitoring operating parameters within the oven cavity due to harsh conditions like high temperature and humidity, leading to limited sensor effectiveness and interference with venting actions when positioned remotely.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with its own cooling system, housed in a structure that allows ambient air to be fed for cooling, enabling direct placement near the oven cavity, utilizing a heatsink and thermal interface material for efficient heat dissipation, and a permeable cover for parameter detection, while being protected from contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor is located in a chamber separate from the oven cavity (within a vent channel), then the sensor is protected from harsh conditions (high temperature and humidity), but the sensor positioning is remote from the oven cavity which limits the field of view and cooling effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is segmented into two distinct parts: the sensor element housed in a protected chamber separate from the oven cavity, and a transparent window element that protrudes into the oven cavity. This segmentation allows the sensor to remain protected while maintaining an extended field of view through the window, resolving the contradiction between protection and observation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A transparent window element acts as an intermediary between the protected sensor chamber and the oven cavity. This window allows optical signals to pass through while physically separating the sensor from the harsh thermal environment, enabling both protection and maintained field of view simultaneously.
2Temperature
If the sensor is located within a vent channel to be cooled by air removed from the oven cavity, then the sensor is positioned away from direct heat exposure, but the sensor cooling is rather limited given that the air leaving the oven cavity is of high temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is extracted from the hot vent channel environment and placed in a separate protected chamber. A dedicated cooling system with its own air inlet and outlet is provided, extracting the sensor from the harmful thermal environment and providing independent temperature control, thereby improving both temperature management and cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor housing includes self-contained cooling features with dedicated air inlet and outlet openings, allowing the sensor to self-regulate its temperature through natural convection or forced air flow, independent of the oven's venting system. This self-service cooling approach ensures reliable temperature control regardless of the high-temperature air in the vent channel.
3Area of stationary object
If the sensor is arranged in close proximity to the oven cavity for accurate parameter detection, then the field of view is improved, but the sensor is exposed to harsh conditions (high temperature and humidity) which deteriorates sensor performance
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into a protected housing portion and a window portion. The sensor element remains in the protected housing while the transparent window extends toward the oven cavity, enabling close proximity positioning and improved field of view without direct exposure to harmful thermal and humid conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
A transparent window element (thin film structure) is used to bridge the gap between the protected sensor housing and the oven cavity environment. This thin film allows optical access while maintaining the protective barrier, enabling the sensor to operate in close proximity to the cavity without direct exposure to harsh conditions.
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 setup allows for precise monitoring of food and oven conditions, preventing overheating and enabling automated adjustments, while maintaining effective cooling and protection from harsh environments.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a heatsink and thermal interface material for efficient heat dissipation
Implementation Method 2
A sensor assembly with its own cooling system, housed in a structure that allows ambient air to be fed for cooling
Implementation Method 3
utilizing a heatsink and thermal interface material for efficient heat dissipation
Implementation Method 4
a permeable cover for parameter detection, while being protected from contaminants
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An assembly (10) for detecting operating parameters within an oven cavity (22) comprises: (a) a housing (12); (b) a sensor (14, 64) disposed within the housing (12); (c) an air inlet (16) for feeding air into the housing (12); and (d) an air outlet (18, 38) through which air can leave the housing (12).