Domestic oven with temperature probe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current temperature probe solutions in domestic ovens increase assembly complexity and costs due to internal receptacle placement, requiring complex manufacturing and high costs, with the need for replacing the entire electronic circuit in case of failure.
Innovation Solution
The temperature probe receptacle is relocated to the oven's front rim, outside the cavity, with a flexible cable connecting the probe to a plastic housing that integrates the probe's board, reducing assembly complexity and harness path, and using polymeric materials for cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the temperature probe receptacle is placed inside the oven cavity on the lateral wall, then the probe can be inserted into food during cooking, but the assembly process becomes difficult and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the oven into distinct functional zones: the cavity for cooking operations and the front rim for control and connection functions. By relocating the receptacle to the front rim, the system segments the complex internal assembly from the user interface, making manufacturing easier while preserving probe insertion capability through the cable-connected design.
2Measurement precision
If the temperature probe receptacle is placed inside the oven cavity, then the probe can monitor food temperature, but the receptacle is affected by grease and smoke developing inside the cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the receptacle and its electronic components from the harmful environment inside the oven cavity and places them on the front rim, which is outside the cooking chamber. This separation protects the receptacle from grease and smoke contamination while the flexible cable maintains the connection needed for temperature monitoring functionality.
3Reliability
If the electronic circuit of the temperature probe is integrated with the control unit of the oven, then the probe can function properly, but in case of failure the entire electronic circuit of the oven must be replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature probe system into an independent modular unit with its own receptacle and electronic components located on the front rim. This modular design allows the probe and its associated electronics to be serviced, removed, or replaced independently from the main oven control unit, significantly improving ease of repair while maintaining full probe functionality.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the receptacle is placed inside the cavity, then the probe connection is integrated with the oven structure, but the harness path becomes long and product cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial dimension of the receptacle placement from the internal lateral wall of the cavity to the external front rim of the oven. This dimensional relocation shortens the harness path by placing the connection point closer to the control electronics, reducing cable length and overall device complexity while maintaining structural integration through the front rim mounting.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
A domestic oven comprises a cavity closed by a door and a temperature probe having a sensing portion for inserting into food and a plug portion configured to be coupled with a corresponding receptacle plug of the oven; this receptacle plug comprises a polymeric housing containing an electronic circuit connected to a central processing unit of the oven.