Cooktop appliance having a removable griddle assembly and temperature probe therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooktops with griddle assemblies face challenges in achieving uniform heat distribution and precise temperature control, especially when using removable griddles, as independent analog controls for multiple heating elements are difficult to manage, and temperature sensors are often prone to inaccuracy due to heat exposure and cleaning issues.
Innovation Solution
A cooktop design featuring a removable griddle assembly with a temperature probe that is protected from excessive heat and can maintain conductive thermal communication with a support post, allowing for accurate temperature measurement and control, while being easy to clean and align properly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are mounted directly into the griddle, then temperature measurement capability is achieved, but the assembly becomes difficult to clean and temperature measurement accuracy deteriorates due to heat exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted from direct integration into the griddle body and instead mounted on the cooktop surface adjacent to the heating element. The griddle remains a separate removable component without embedded sensors, allowing the griddle to be easily removed and cleaned while the sensor remains fixed in a protected position on the cooktop.
2Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are mounted near the heating element, then temperature monitoring is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to convective heat transfer and high heat exposure
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal barrier or air gap is introduced between the heating element and the temperature sensor. The sensor is positioned adjacent to but not directly over the heating element, using the cooktop surface as an intermediary medium to sense temperature indirectly, thereby avoiding direct exposure to convective heat and high temperatures that would compromise accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If the griddle is made removable for easy cleaning, then cleaning ease is improved, but temperature measurement reliability deteriorates because users may not align the griddle perfectly, positioning electronics and heat sensitive parts in the direct heating path
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor and electronic components are extracted from the removable griddle assembly and permanently mounted on the fixed cooktop surface. This separation ensures that heat-sensitive electronics never become part of the removable griddle that users might misalign, while the griddle itself remains fully removable for cleaning without compromising sensor reliability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If independent analog controls are provided for each heating element, then individual element control is achieved, but control complexity increases making uniform heat distribution difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple heating elements are controlled through a unified control system rather than independent analog controls for each element. The system integrates control of multiple elements to work together, using a single control interface that coordinates all heating elements to provide uniform heat distribution across the griddle surface.
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 enables uniform heat distribution and precise temperature control for the griddle assembly, preventing damage to temperature sensors and ensuring accurate measurements, while being user-friendly and easy to maintain.
Implementation Method 1
The support post may extend downward from the griddle plate in conductive thermal communication with the temperature probe
Data Source
AI summary
A cooktop appliance may include a top panel, a heating element, a temperature probe, a griddle plate, and a support post. The temperature probe may be attached to the top panel and be horizontally spaced apart from the heating element. The griddle plate may be selectively disposable in a griddle-cook position above the top panel along a vertical direction. The griddle plate may have a top cooking surface and a bottom heating surface. The top cooking surface may extend perpendicular to the vertical direction in the griddle-cook position to receive a cooking item thereon. The bottom heating surface may be disposed beneath the top cooking surface and face the top panel in the griddle-cook position to receive a thermal output from the heating element. The support post may extend downward from the griddle plate in conductive thermal communication with the temperature probe in the griddle-cook position.