Cooking Vessel Sensor Support With Deformation Zone for Stress Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking vessels with integrated sensors face issues due to manufacturing tolerances, leading to tension and voltage generation that can damage the sensor and conductive elements, resulting in unreliable operation and potential breakdown.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a support with a programmed deformation zone, such as an S-shape, that allows mobility between the sensor, conductive elements, and handle, absorbing position dispersions and preventing harmful stress on sensitive components, while using a non-ferromagnetic austenitic stainless steel for durability and compatibility with induction heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the sensor and handle are rigidly fixed together with adjusted positioning, then the sensor positioning precision is improved, but manufacturing tolerances cause tensions and voltages that damage the sensor and conductive elements
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure changes its physical state from rigid to flexible through the programmed deformation zone, allowing it to adapt to manufacturing tolerances while maintaining sensor positioning. The flexible zone enables the support to deform and absorb position variations without generating harmful stresses on the sensor and conductive elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The programmed deformation zone acts as a pre-designed cushioning element that absorbs manufacturing tolerances before they can transmit harmful stresses to the sensor. This cushioning mechanism is built into the support structure to anticipate and mitigate the effects of assembly variations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the support is made rigid to maintain sensor position, then positioning stability is improved, but differential thermal expansion generates voltages that alter sensor operation
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates a flexible zone that changes its mechanical properties to accommodate thermal expansion. This flexible zone allows the support to deform thermally without generating harmful voltages, while the sensor remains positioned through the holding part that maintains engagement with the sensor body.
3Reliability
If the support is made flexible to absorb manufacturing tolerances, then sensor protection is improved, but the sensor holding position may become unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The support is segmented into distinct functional zones: a holding part that maintains sensor position, a programmed deformation zone that provides flexibility, and a fixing part that attaches to the handle. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function without interfering with others.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the support have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The holding part has high rigidity to maintain sensor position, the deformation zone has controlled flexibility to absorb tolerances, and the fixing part has appropriate strength for attachment. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between flexibility and stability.
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
Ensures reliable and repetitive sensor operation over time, simplifies design and implementation, and maintains sensor functionality by absorbing manufacturing tolerances without generating harmful stresses, enhancing durability and operational stability.
Implementation Method 1
the programmed deformation zone makes it possible to absorb the position dispersions between the housing of the sensor and the part of the fastening means of the handle arranged on the cap of the second sub-assembly and between the part of the fixing means of the handle and the sensor of the first subassembly
Implementation Method 2
using a non-ferromagnetic austenitic stainless steel for durability and compatibility with induction heating
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooking vessel (1) comprising a cap (2) provided with a bottom (3) and a side wall (4), a handle (20) fixed to the cap (2) by means (6, 22) and a sensor (30) arranged in a receiving housing (11) close to the bottom (3) and provided with at least one conductive element (31, 32) electrically insulated, said sensor (30 ) and conductive element (31, 32) being fixed to a support (40) which extends from the bottom (3) along the side wall (4) and which is fixed to the handle (20). According to the invention, the support (40) comprises a part (42) for holding the sensor and the conductive element and at least one programmed deformation zone (50, 55a, 55b) to allow mobility between the part of holding (42) the sensor and the conductive element and the handle (20) in at least one direction.