Replaceable Range Coil Temperature Switch for Ignition 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 series-connected temperature switch that can be retrofitted into existing coil systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a temperature control device is installed to prevent cooking accidents, then safety is improved, but the device has consistently prevented water from boiling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a radiant heat shield as an intermediary component between the heating coil and the cooking vessel. This shield blocks direct radiant heat while allowing convective heat transfer, enabling the temperature controller to sense cooking temperature indirectly without being exposed to extreme direct heat that would cause false readings and prevent water boiling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct thermal contact sensing with optical/radiant heat sensing. The temperature controller senses radiant heat from the coil through the shield rather than direct thermal conduction, substituting a mechanical thermal coupling system with a radiant heat detection system that avoids the temperature threshold problem
2Measurement precision
If a temperature sensing device is placed close to the coil to sense temperature, then temperature sensing accuracy is improved, but the device senses conducted heat instead of radiant heat
Solution Approach 1:
The radiant heat shield serves as a selective intermediary that transmits radiant heat to the sensor while blocking direct thermal conduction paths. This allows the temperature sensing device to accurately detect radiant heat from the coil without being contaminated by conducted heat from mounting structures or the coil itself
3Ease of operation
If manual heat adjustment is required for attended cooking, then cooking control flexibility is improved, but user presence is required constantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automatic feedback control system where the temperature controller continuously senses radiant heat from the coil and automatically adjusts power delivery to maintain safe cooking temperatures. This eliminates the need for constant user intervention while preserving cooking control through automated temperature regulation
Solution Approach 2:
The cooking system performs self-regulation of temperature through the automated controller that monitors and adjusts heating based on sensed conditions. The system serves itself by automatically preventing overheating and maintaining safe operating temperatures without requiring user presence or manual adjustment
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, while allowing water to boil, thus enhancing safety without requiring constant user attention.
Implementation Method 1
sense temperature related to a coil burner element with a switch activated along a portion of the coils themselves... sense primarily sense radiant heat from the traditional coil element construction
Implementation Method 2
exposed electrical coil elements. 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 temperatures, 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.