Radiant Heater Temperature Sensor Contact Using Elastic Flat Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiant heaters for cooktops lack a reliable mechanism to maintain constant contact between temperature sensors and the cooktop, leading to inconsistent temperature measurement and potential safety hazards due to overheating or forgotten cooking.
Innovation Solution
A radiant heater design featuring a metal cover, insulating base, resistance element, and elastic means, including a flat that forms an angle to maintain the temperature sensor in constant contact with the cooktop, ensuring continuous temperature measurement and preventing accidents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is arranged inside a tubular body extending through an insulating base, then the sensor can measure the cooktop temperature, but the sensor cannot maintain constant contact with the cooktop surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the static tubular body arrangement with a dynamic elastic means (spring element) that can adapt its position. The spring element allows the temperature sensor to maintain constant contact with the cooktop surface by elastically deforming in response to surface variations, ensuring reliable thermal coupling while accommodating manufacturing tolerances and surface irregularities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the parameter changes principle by modifying the mechanical state of the sensor mounting system. The elastic means changes the positional parameter of the temperature sensor dynamically, allowing it to adjust its distance from the cooktop surface and maintain optimal thermal contact pressure, thereby ensuring consistent temperature measurement reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the sensor element is fixed inside a rigid structure, then the assembly is simple to manufacture, but the sensor cannot adapt to surface irregularities or thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid fixed structure with a dynamic elastic mounting system. The spring element provides adaptability to surface irregularities and thermal expansion while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a straightforward assembly process involving basic elastic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic means introduces a variable positional parameter that allows the sensor to adapt to surface variations. This parameter change capability is achieved through the elastic deformation of the spring element, which compensates for manufacturing tolerances and thermal effects without complicating the manufacturing process.
3Reliability
If elastic means is used to press the sensor against the cooktop, then constant contact is maintained, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by using the spring element to automatically maintain contact pressure between the sensor and cooktop. The elastic means self-regulates the contact force based on surface variations and thermal expansion, eliminating the need for complex control mechanisms while ensuring reliable constant contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic means provides a simple parameter change mechanism through elastic deformation, allowing the sensor position to adjust automatically. This approach maintains constant contact reliability while adding minimal structural complexity, as the spring element naturally adapts to varying contact conditions.
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
The solution ensures continuous and accurate temperature measurement of the cooktop and cookware, preventing overheating and allowing for controlled cooking, while maintaining the sensor in constant contact to enhance safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
elastic means suitable for keeping the temperature sensor in permanent contact with the cooktop in a final assembly position. The elastic means comprises a flat fixed to the cover at one end, the temperature sensor, according to some implementations, being fixed to the flat. In the final assembly position, the flat is arranged in a tensed manner forming an angle with the cover such that it pushes the temperature sensor against the cooktop.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one implementation a radiant heater is provided that includes a cover, an insulating base arranged on the cover, at least one resistance element fixed to the insulating base, a temperature sensor suitable for measuring the temperature of a cooktop arranged on the radiant heater, and a flat resilient member suitable for keeping the temperature sensor in constant contact with the cooktop in a final assembly position.