Probe assembly for a cooking appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooking appliances lack an efficient and user-friendly method for simultaneously monitoring air and food temperatures during cooking, leading to potential under or overcooking of food.
Innovation Solution
A probe assembly with a cap and body, each equipped with temperature sensors, is designed to be removably coupled to a cooking appliance's rack, allowing for independent operation and communication of air and food temperature data to a controller for precise temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single temperature sensor is used in cooking appliances, then the device complexity is reduced, but the temperature monitoring precision is insufficient for both air and food temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The probe assembly is divided into separate functional components: a cap portion containing an air temperature sensor and a probe portion containing a food temperature sensor. This segmentation allows each sensor to independently monitor its specific target (air or food) without interference, achieving precise dual-temperature monitoring while keeping each individual sensor component relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple temperature sensors (air temperature sensor and food temperature sensor) into a single integrated probe assembly that can be inserted into the cooking appliance once. This merging approach enables simultaneous monitoring of both air and food temperatures through one unified device, improving overall measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are integrated into a single probe assembly, then the temperature monitoring precision is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced due to complex installation and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The probe assembly is segmented into a cap portion and a probe portion that can be easily coupled and decoupled. The cap portion with the air temperature sensor can be separately attached to or removed from the probe portion, allowing users to quickly install or remove the entire assembly without complex procedures, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving precise dual-temperature monitoring
3Manufacturing precision
If the probe assembly is designed as a single integrated unit, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability is reduced for different cooking scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The probe assembly incorporates dynamic configurability through the removable cap portion. Users can attach the cap with the air temperature sensor when air temperature monitoring is needed, and remove it when only food temperature monitoring is required. This dynamic adjustment capability allows a single base probe design to adapt to various cooking scenarios, maintaining manufacturing precision while enhancing versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The probe assembly is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple cooking scenarios. The base probe portion can function independently for food temperature monitoring, while the optional cap portion adds air temperature monitoring capability. This multi-functional design allows the same probe assembly to serve different cooking needs (roasting, baking, grilling, etc.), improving adaptability without compromising manufacturing precision
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
Enables accurate monitoring and control of cooking temperatures, ensuring food is cooked to the desired doneness by allowing users to set preset temperatures and times based on real-time temperature feedback.
Implementation Method 1
The outer case also includes a first temperature sensor
Implementation Method 2
A probe is disposed within the outer case and includes a second temperature sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A probe assembly for a cooking appliance includes an outer case that includes a cap, a body, and retention features that are coupled to each of the cap and the body. A first temperature sensor is operably coupled to the cap of the outer case. A probe is operably coupled to the body of the outer case and is selectively concealed by the cap. A second temperature sensor is operably coupled to the probe. A controller is communicatively coupled to each of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor. The controller is configured to receive a first signal from the first temperature sensor when the cap is directly coupled to the body of the outer case.