Plane Heating Element Track Design for Insulation Gap Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plane heating elements in electric stoves face limitations in configuring patterns to achieve high temperatures uniformly across a limited area, leading to inconsistent voltage distribution and potential dielectric breakdown due to fixed insulation gaps between tracks.
Innovation Solution
The electric heater features a plane heating element with arc-shaped tracks having different centers of curvature, allowing for varying insulation gaps between adjacent tracks based on their distance from electrodes, optimizing the track shape to secure insulation gaps proportionally with potential differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If arc-shaped tracks are arranged at a constant gap to closely arrange hot wires in a limited area, then the heating area is maximized, but the insulation gap cannot be secured in proportion to potential difference, leading to dielectric breakdown risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the gap between adjacent tracks according to their position along the track length. Specifically, the gap is larger at the start point (where potential difference is highest) and smaller at the end point (where potential difference is lower). This localized adjustment of gap size ensures adequate insulation where needed while maximizing heating area where safe, resolving the contradiction between compact arrangement and insulation reliability.
2Reliability
If the gap between adjacent tracks is increased to secure insulation, then dielectric breakdown is prevented, but the heating area is reduced and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of track gap size dynamically along the length of the tracks. The gap is not constant but varies continuously, being larger at the start point and smaller at the end point. This parameter change allows the system to maintain adequate insulation (reliability) at critical locations while maximizing heating area at less critical locations, thus resolving the contradiction between insulation reliability and heating area.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pattern portions are configured to provide different power levels, then adaptability to different cooking needs is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating element into multiple independent pattern portions, each capable of being controlled separately to provide different power levels. This segmentation allows the system to offer various cooking modes (high power, medium power, low power) by activating different portions or combinations of portions, thereby achieving adaptability while keeping each individual pattern portion relatively simple in structure.
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 design ensures efficient heat dissipation and prevents dielectric breakdown by dynamically adjusting insulation gaps, allowing for uniform heating and reduced energy loss across the heating surface.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element attached to the surface of the substrate and having a predetermined shape
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is an electric heater applied to a cooking appliance. Particularly, disclosed herein is an electric heater having a plane heating element capable of optimizing the shape of a track in order to secure an insulation gap in a limited area. An electric heater includes a substrate (an insulating material capable of forming a conductor pattern on a surface of an insulating substrate) and a plane heating element formed on one surface of the substrate. The plane heating element includes a pattern portion connecting a start point with an end point, the pattern portion includes a plurality of tracks spaced apart from each other and having an arc shape having a length increasing from an inner side to an outer side, and at least two tracks have different centers of curvature C1 and C2.