Electric Heater And Cooking Appliance Having Same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric heaters with plane heating elements face limitations in uniformly heating a high temperature over a maximized area while achieving high power in a limited space due to inconsistent insulation gaps between bridges, which restricts the heating area and power delivery.
Innovation Solution
The electric heater is designed with a substrate and a plane heating element featuring multiple tracks and bridges arranged in a specific pattern, where the insulation gaps between bridges are optimized based on potential differences, with narrower gaps at the innermost side and wider gaps at the outermost side, allowing for increased hot wire length and uniform heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uniform insulation gaps are maintained between all bridges, then electrical insulation is ensured, but the heating area is reduced and high-temperature uniform heating becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the insulation gap width according to the local electrical potential difference. Bridges at different radial positions have different gap widths: inner bridges (with smaller potential differences) have narrower gaps, while outer bridges (with larger potential differences) have wider gaps. This localized adaptation allows maximization of heating area in low-risk zones while maintaining insulation safety in high-risk zones.
2Reliability
If insulation gaps are increased to ensure safety, then electrical breakdown is prevented, but the hot wire length is shortened and required power cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of insulation gap width from a constant value to a variable value that depends on the electrical potential difference at each location. By adjusting the gap width parameter locally, the design achieves both safety (preventing electrical breakdown) and performance (maintaining sufficient hot wire length for required power output).
3Productivity
If the heating element is designed to heat a limited area at high temperature, then cooking time is shortened, but the insulation gap requirements conflict with maximizing heating area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables high-temperature focused heating in the center region (where narrow gaps are safe) while maintaining adequate insulation at outer regions. This local differentiation allows the heating element to concentrate power where needed for fast cooking while still maximizing the overall usable heating area through optimized gap distribution.
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 maximizes the heating area, ensures uniform high-temperature heating, and achieves the required high power in a limited space by optimizing bridge gaps and hot wire length, enhancing the electric heater's performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element attached to the surface of the substrate and having a predetermined shape
Data Source
AI summary
An electric heater includes a substrate; and a plane heating element disposed on one surface of the substrate. The plane heating element includes a pattern portion including a start point and an end point, which are located at an outermost side of the pattern portion, the pattern portion including a plurality of tracks having an arc shape, which are spaced apart from each other and are formed to have a length increasing from an innermost side to the outermost side of the pattern portion, and a plurality of bridges connecting the plurality of tracks in series. The plurality of bridges are formed on both sides of the pattern portion with respect to a reference line passing through a center of the pattern portion, and an innermost gap between the pair of bridges located at the innermost side of the pattern portion is narrower than an outermost gap between a pair of bridges located at the outermost side of the pattern portion.