Food preparation device with parallel electrical cold conductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food preparation apparatuses face challenges in uniformly heating foods to prevent local overheating, which can lead to delayed cooking processes and uneven temperature distributions.
Innovation Solution
The use of electrical PTC thermistors connected in parallel with bridges to redistribute electrical current and heat evenly, automatically counteracting local overheating by adjusting the position of heat generation and maintaining uniform heating across the food preparation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single heating element is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the heating uniformity deteriorates causing local overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device is divided into multiple independent PTC thermistor segments connected in parallel. Each segment can independently regulate its heat output based on local temperature conditions, preventing local overheating while maintaining overall heating efficiency. This segmentation allows the system to achieve uniform heating without requiring a single complex heating element.
2Temperature
If materials with high thermal conductivity are used in the cooking vessel bottom, then heat distribution is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The PTC thermistors inherently possess positive temperature coefficient characteristics that enable automatic self-regulation. When a local region becomes overheated, the PTC thermistor in that region automatically increases its electrical resistance, reducing power consumption and heat generation without requiring external control systems. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex control electronics while achieving uniform heat distribution.
3Temperature
If the heating device continuously monitors and adjusts temperature, then heating uniformity is improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The parallel-connected PTC thermistor segments provide inherent negative feedback through their positive temperature coefficient characteristics. Each segment automatically senses its own temperature and adjusts its electrical resistance accordingly, creating a distributed feedback system that maintains temperature uniformity without requiring centralized temperature monitoring or active control mechanisms, thereby reducing energy consumption.
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 ensures quick and reliable food preparation with uniform heating, preventing local overheating and reducing cooking time by dynamically redistributing heat to colder regions, thus achieving improved cooking results with minimal technical effort.
Implementation Method 1
For heating a food, a current flows through the electrical PTC thermistors provided for this purpose. These are heated accordingly by the electrical current.
Implementation Method 2
A PTC thermistor as used in the present disclosure has a positive temperature coefficient. This means that the electrical resistance of the PTC thermistor increases with increasing temperature.
Data Source
AI summary
The application relates to food preparation apparatus with an electrical heating device comprising at least two electrical PTC thermistors for heating a food in a food preparation space, wherein the electrical PTC thermistors are electrically connected in parallel. The parallel-connected PTC thermistors are electrically connected to each other by one or more electrical bridges.Using designs in accordance with the present application, local heating during the preparation of a food may be avoided.