Thermal management for a wireless cooking probe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional temperature probes are vulnerable to high cooking temperatures, which can damage battery and electronic components, and often have suboptimal display visibility and placement for user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered temperature probe with a flexible arm design, where the temperature sensor is magnetically attached to the cooking utensil and the control housing is positioned outside, equipped with a radiant heat shield to reduce thermal exposure to sensitive components and improve display visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the control housing is placed inside the cooking utensil for compact design, then device size is reduced, but the temperature-sensitive components experience excessively high temperatures that damage the battery and electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The control housing is repositioned from an internal location to an external location on the cooking utensil, utilizing the external surface area. This spatial relocation in another dimension allows the control electronics to be thermally isolated from the high-temperature cooking environment while maintaining a compact overall device footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
A radiant heat shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the cooking utensil body and the control housing. This heat shield blocks radiant heat transfer, creating a thermal barrier that protects the temperature-sensitive control electronics and battery from excessive heating while allowing the control housing to remain positioned on the cooking utensil.
2Temperature
If the control housing is placed outside the cooking utensil to protect electronics from heat, then temperature of control electronics is reduced, but display visibility and user accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control housing is positioned asymmetrically on the exterior surface of the cooking utensil, specifically on the front-facing or upper portion, rather than uniformly distributed or placed on the bottom. This asymmetric placement optimizes both thermal protection (by maintaining distance from heat sources) and user accessibility (by positioning the display and controls in the user's natural line of sight and reach).
Solution Approach 2:
The control housing utilizes the external vertical dimension of the cooking utensil, positioning itself on the outer surface at an elevated location. This three-dimensional placement allows the display to be visible above the utensil rim while the housing remains thermally protected, and the controls remain easily accessible to the user.
3Measurement precision
If conventional temperature probes are used for high-temperature cooking, then basic temperature measurement is achieved, but the battery and electronic components are damaged by temperatures exceeding their thermal operating limits
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature probe is segmented into distinct functional zones: the temperature sensing element remains positioned inside the cooking utensil where high temperatures are necessary for accurate measurement, while the control housing containing temperature-sensitive components (battery, microcontroller, display) is separated and positioned outside the cooking utensil. This segmentation allows each component to operate in its optimal thermal environment.
Solution Approach 2:
A radiant heat shield serves as a thermal intermediary between the high-temperature cooking zone and the control housing. The heat shield blocks radiant heat transfer, allowing the control electronics to accurately measure and respond to cooking temperatures without being exposed to temperatures that would exceed their thermal operating limits and cause damage.
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 allows for safe and proper operation of the temperature probe at high temperatures, extends its lifespan, and enhances user convenience by maintaining the control electronics and battery at reduced temperatures while providing improved visibility of the temperature display.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible arm is magnetically attachable to the cooking utensil such that the temperature sensor is in thermal communication with the food products
Implementation Method 2
A radiant heat shield may be included in the control housing and the control housing may be oriented such that temperature-sensitive components, such as the battery and display, experience reduced temperatures during operation
Data Source
AI summary
A battery-powered temperature probe for measuring the temperature of food products within a cooking utensil. The temperature probe includes a temperature sensor and a control housing positioned at opposite ends of a flexible arm. The flexible arm is magnetically attachable to the cooking utensil such that the temperature sensor is in thermal communication with the food products and the control housing is positioned outside of and below the top of the cooking utensil. A radiant heat shield may be included in the control housing and the control housing may be oriented such that temperature-sensitive components, such as the battery and display, experience reduced temperatures during operation.