Removable handle comprising a thermoelectric generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing removable handles for cooking containers and lids with thermoelectric generators face issues with mechanical play leading to reduced heat exchange efficiency and inefficient electricity generation, making them unreliable for powering electronic functions.
Innovation Solution
A handle with a releasable locking device and a thermoelectric generator featuring a thermal coupling piece and heat sink, optimized with fins or a latent heat sink, to ensure consistent heat exchange and reliable electricity supply for electronic functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the handle is made removable for ease of storage and versatility, then storage ease and adaptability improve, but mechanical play occurs between the thermoelectric generator and cooking vessel reducing heat exchange efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal coupling piece is introduced as an intermediary component between the thermoelectric generator and the cooking vessel. This coupling piece ensures consistent thermal contact even when the handle is removed or reattached, eliminating mechanical play and maintaining reliable heat exchange efficiency throughout the handle's operational lifecycle.
2Reliability
If the handle is fixed to ensure stable heat exchange, then heat exchange efficiency improves, but storage ease and versatility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed with a releasable locking device that allows it to dynamically transition between fixed and removable states. When locked, the handle provides stable heat exchange; when unlocked, it can be removed for storage or used with different cooking vessels, combining the benefits of both fixed and removable designs.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical play is allowed for removable handle operation, then ease of operation improves, but electricity generation reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal coupling piece acts as a mediator that maintains consistent thermal contact between the thermoelectric generator and cooking vessel regardless of handle position or attachment state. This eliminates the impact of mechanical play on electricity generation reliability while preserving ease of handle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The design anticipates potential mechanical play issues by incorporating the thermal coupling piece beforehand, which compensates for any gaps or misalignments that may occur during handle removal and reattachment, ensuring continuous reliable electricity generation.
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 provides a self-sufficient and reliable electricity supply for electronic functions in cooking containers and lids, maintaining efficient heat exchange and power generation even when the handle is locked or removed, effectively addressing the mechanical play issue.
Implementation Method 1
The invention relates more particularly to removable handles integrating electricity supply devices with the aim of supplying electronic functions and which operate on the principle of thermoelectric conversion
Implementation Method 2
the handle comprises a heat sink thermally connected to the junction piece or to the second contact surface of the thermoelectric generator
Implementation Method 3
the thermoelectric generator comprises at least one first contact surface thermally connected to a thermal coupling piece which comes into constrained contact with a portion of the cooking vessel or lid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a handle (1) for a cooking vessel or lid, comprising at least one thermoelectric generator (3). The invention is characterised in that the handle (1) comprises a releasable locking device (4) and the thermoelectric generator (3) comprises at least one first contact surface (5) thermally connected to a thermal coupling part (6) that comes into contact under stress with a portion (7) of the cooking vessel or lid when the releasable locking device (4) of the handle (1) is in a locked position on the cooking vessel or lid.