Temperature sensor fitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current temperature sensor arrangements in kitchen devices fail to provide accurate temperature readings, leading to inadequate control of cooking processes and potential damage during cleaning due to lack of liquid isolation.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensor fitting with a weld seal for attachment to a heating vessel, a PTFE seal for thermal isolation, and a silicone seal for liquid isolation, ensuring accurate temperature measurement and protection from cleaning liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the temperature sensor is placed in direct contact with the heating plate to measure temperature, then the temperature measurement is simplified, but the measurement precision deteriorates because it measures heating element temperature rather than ingredient temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal isolator as an intermediary component between the temperature sensor and the heating plate. This isolator thermally couples the sensor to the cooking ingredient while electrically and thermally isolating it from the heating element, enabling accurate ingredient temperature measurement without direct sensor-to-ingredient contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensing system is segmented into distinct functional components: a heating plate, a thermal isolator, and a temperature sensor. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the heating plate generates heat, the isolator transfers and isolates thermal energy, and the sensor measures temperature - thereby improving measurement precision while managing device complexity.
2Device complexity
If the temperature sensor is exposed to the cleaning environment without isolation, then the device structure is simplified, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential damage from cleaning liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is nested within a multi-layer protective structure consisting of a thermal isolator and a seal. This nested arrangement protects the sensor from cleaning liquids and electrical components while maintaining thermal coupling to the ingredient, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a seal (potentially utilizing flexible materials) to create a protective barrier around the temperature sensor assembly. This seal prevents cleaning liquids from reaching the sensor and electrical components while allowing the structure to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction during cooking and cleaning cycles.
3Measurement precision
If a thermal isolator is introduced between the temperature sensor and heating plate, then the measurement precision improves by measuring ingredient temperature, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal isolator is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal isolation from the heating plate, thermal coupling to the ingredient, mechanical support for the temperature sensor, and sealing against cleaning liquids. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving precise temperature measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal isolator likely employs composite material construction, combining materials with different thermal and mechanical properties to achieve optimal performance. This allows the isolator to provide effective thermal isolation from the heating plate while maintaining thermal coupling to the ingredient and providing structural support, thereby managing device complexity through material optimization rather than additional components.
4Ease of operation
If the temperature sensor measures heating element temperature and assumes it equals ingredient temperature, then the measurement process is simplified, but the control accuracy deteriorates affecting power delivery and cooking time
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal isolator serves as an intermediary that enables direct measurement of ingredient temperature rather than relying on assumptions about heating element temperature. This provides accurate real-time temperature data for cooking control, improving manufacturing precision while maintaining ease of operation through automated sensing.
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 temperature sensor fitting provides more accurate temperature readings of ingredients, enhances liquid isolation to prevent damage during cleaning, and ensures reliable operation of kitchen devices.
Implementation Method 1
the PTFE insulator provides thermal isolation between a temperature sensor and a heating plate of the kitchen device
Implementation Method 2
the outer surface is suitable for welding to the edge of the floor to form a weld seal
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature sensor fitting for use with a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of ingredients that are inside a heating vessel of a kitchen device, the temperature sensor fitting comprising: a collar comprising an inner threaded portion; a PTFE insulator comprising an outer threaded portion that corresponds with the inner threaded portion of the collar, and further comprises an inner threaded portion; a metal cap comprising an outer threaded portion that corresponds with the inner threaded portion of the PTFE insulator; wherein the PTFE insulator provides thermal isolation between a temperature sensor and a heating plate of the kitchen device; and wherein the collar comprises an outer surface that corresponds with an edge of a floor of a heating vessel of a kitchen device and the outer surface is suitable for welding to the edge of the floor to form a weld seal.