Plane Heating Element Layout for High-Temperature Electric Heaters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric stoves with single hot wire heating elements face limitations in generating high temperatures across varying cooking appliance sizes and risk dielectric breakdown when multiple elements are formed in a limited area.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates multiple plane heating elements with distinct pattern portions and electrode configurations on a substrate, allowing for step-wise high-temperature heating and preventing dielectric breakdown by adjusting the length, width, and gap of each element according to the appliance size, with proportional hot wire lengths and widths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a single hot wire heating element is used to generate high temperature, then high temperature heating is achieved, but the heating element cannot be adapted to different cooking appliance sizes and power requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating temperatureVSAvoidadaptability to different appliance sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is divided into multiple independent heating sections (first heating section, second heating section, third heating section) with different resistances and areas. Each section can be independently controlled to provide different heating power levels, enabling adaptation to various cooking appliance sizes and power requirements while maintaining high temperature capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple plane heating elements are formed in a limited area to provide varying heating zones, then adaptability to different power requirements is improved, but dielectric breakdown risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating zone configurationVSAvoiddielectric breakdown prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating layer thickness is locally optimized based on the specific requirements of each heating section. The first insulating layer has a first thickness corresponding to the first heating section, the second insulating layer has a second thickness corresponding to the second heating section, and the third insulating layer has a third thickness corresponding to the third heating section. This local quality adjustment ensures adequate dielectric strength in each region while preventing overall dielectric breakdown.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the heating element area is increased to provide step-wise heating, then adaptability to different power requirements is improved, but the device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower requirement adaptationVSAvoidheating element thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing the planar area of the heating element, the solution transitions to the thickness dimension by creating multiple insulating layers with different thicknesses. The first insulating layer, second insulating layer, and third insulating layer are stacked in the thickness direction, allowing different heating sections to be accommodated vertically rather than horizontally, thus maintaining a compact overall device thickness while providing adaptability to different power requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration enables efficient high-temperature heating across a limited area, adaptable to different cooking appliance sizes, while preventing dielectric breakdown and optimizing energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a resistive electric stove which heats a top surface made of ceramic using a hot wire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

As current is supplied through the electrodes, radiant heat is generated in the heater track

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3614804B1Electric heater
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3614804B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3614804B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3614804B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electric heater applied to a cooking appliance, and more particularly to an electric heater including a plurality of plane heating elements capable of heating at a high temperature within a limited area. The present invention provides an electric heater including: a substrate (an insulating material capable of forming a conductor pattern on a surface of an insulating substrate); a first plane heating element configured to be formed on one surface of the substrate; and a second plane heating element configured to be formed on one surface of the substrate so as to be located outside the first plane heating element, in which the first plane heating element includes: a first pattern portion configured to connect a start point and an end point, and a pair of first electrode portions configured to be connected to the first pattern portion, and in which the second plane heating element includes: a second pattern portion configured to surround a portion of the outer circumference of the first pattern portion, to connect the start point and the end point, and to have an opening portion at one side thereof; and a pair of second electrode portions configured to be connected to the second pattern portion.