Range Top Coil Temperature Cutoff for Boil-Dry Fire Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric cooking technologies lack effective means to prevent cooking accidents such as boiling over, boil dry, or oil ignition when users are not present to manually adjust heat settings, leading to potential fires.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensing device is integrated along the electric coil or within a drip pan to remotely monitor the temperature of cooking utensils, with a switch that interrupts power if the temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold to prevent ignition, and restores power when it drops below a lower limit, using a temperature switch connected to the coil's unheated portion and housed to prevent moisture ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a temperature control device is installed to prevent cooking accidents, then safety against fire is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensing device is integrated with the burner element assembly, combining the safety function with the existing heating structure. The sensing device includes a housing that receives the temperature sensor and is positioned to work with the coil element, merging multiple functions into a unified assembly rather than adding separate independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensing device automatically monitors cooking conditions and interrupts power supply when temperatures approach ignition points, then restores power when temperatures drop. This self-regulating mechanism operates without user intervention, providing continuous safety monitoring while maintaining normal cooking operations.
2Measurement precision
If a temperature sensing device is integrated along the coil, then temperature monitoring capability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensing device is designed as a separate modular assembly that can be manufactured independently and then installed with the burner element. The housing, temperature sensor, and wiring are configured as discrete components that simplify the manufacturing process compared to integrating the sensor directly into the coil structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves as an intermediary structure that protects the temperature sensor and positions it optimally for sensing coil temperature. This intermediate component facilitates the integration of the sensing function without requiring direct modification of the coil element itself, simplifying manufacturing.
3Reliability
If the switch interrupts power to prevent ignition, then safety is improved, but the ability to boil water is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature switch is calibrated to interrupt power at temperatures approaching the ignition point of cooking materials (typically around 400-450°F), which is significantly higher than the boiling point of water (212°F). This parameter setting allows water to boil normally while preventing temperatures that could ignite cooking oils or other combustible materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensing device continuously monitors coil temperature and provides feedback control by interrupting and restoring power based on temperature thresholds. This feedback mechanism maintains temperatures within a safe operating range that permits normal cooking functions like boiling water while preventing dangerous temperature excursions.
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 solution significantly reduces the likelihood of cooking fires by maintaining temperatures below the ignition point of common cooking materials, ensuring safer operation without requiring constant user attention, although it does not completely prevent water from boiling.
Implementation Method 1
remotely sensing temperatures at a location spaced from the heating portion of coils of a burner element so as not to sense a significant amount of conducted heat, but instead primarily sense radiant heat from the traditional coil element construction
Implementation Method 2
An electrical resistance core is typically embedded within an alloy sheath and wound in the shape of concentric circles
Data Source
AI summary
A range has burner coil elements which have temperature switches as a portion of the replaceable coils. Upon reaching a predetermined temperature, the switch opens and power through the burner element is secured. The burner elements are preferably open coil units. Lowering the temperature in a cooking utensil below common ignition temperatures while still allowing boiling is an objective of many embodiments.