Roller Grill Temperature Sensing Assembly for Consistent Cooking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller grill temperature control systems face challenges in accurately maintaining the required 140° F temperature for cooking due to variations in food size, composition, and the presence of sneeze guards, leading to inconsistent cooking results.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a temperature control assembly with thermistors positioned to contact the outer surfaces of roller tubes, utilizing a 'T'-shaped sensing device made of conductive materials like 7075 Aluminum, and an electronic control system that adjusts heating elements based on temperature feedback to maintain consistent cooking temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If thermistors are positioned to contact the outer surfaces of roller tubes, then temperature measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the outer surface of the roller tube as an intermediary medium to transfer temperature information from the cooking surface to the thermistor. By positioning the thermistor to contact the outer surface, the tube itself becomes the heat transfer pathway, enabling accurate temperature measurement without direct contact with the heating elements or food, thus improving measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex internal temperature sensing mechanisms with a simpler external sensing approach. Instead of placing thermistors inside the roller tube among heating elements and food (as shown in prior art FIG. 4), the system uses external contact on the outer surface, substituting a mechanically complex internal arrangement with a simpler external configuration that achieves better measurement accuracy.
2Stability of the object's composition
If electronic control systems adjust heating elements based on temperature feedback, then temperature stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where thermistors continuously monitor the temperature of the roller tube outer surfaces and provide real-time data to an electronic control system. The control system processes this feedback information and automatically adjusts the heating elements accordingly, creating a closed-loop control mechanism that maintains stable cooking temperatures despite variations in food size, composition, or environmental 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
This solution provides more accurate and consistent temperature readings, ensuring that the cooking surface maintains the required 140° F temperature, regardless of food size or sneeze guard presence, resulting in uniform cooking of products like hot dogs and sausages.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a 'T'-shaped sensing device made of conductive materials like 7075 Aluminum
Implementation Method 2
an electronic control system that adjusts heating elements based on temperature feedback
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosures of roller tube grill temperature control assemblies and methods for human food have a sensing device to fit between a pair of tubes with sides that conform to the tube surface, and an associated temperature-sensing component for detecting the sensing device temperature. An electrical control arrangement in electrical connection with a heating element disposed within a tube can control electricity, with mechanisms to modify the set point. A biasing member biases the sensing device. Such device can also have on or more tube receiving inner openings located between the sides of the device. The sensing device can further be a bushing with one or more generally cylindrical openings to receive roller tube or tubes. The assembly moreover can have an infrared sensing device associated with a tube to sense radiation therefrom for detecting temperature.