Toaster
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toasters with heating elements positioned at the top and bottom of the appliance result in inhomogeneous toasting due to uneven radiation distribution, leading to unsatisfactory results and the risk of bread crumbs burning and causing smoke, especially when the appliance has transparent walls.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a reflector housing with a non-reflecting surface treatment, such as varnish or holes, and a radiation-absorbing wall with a gradient of absorbance to modulate infrared radiation and prevent bread crumbs from contacting heating elements, ensuring more even toasting and preventing crumb accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If heating elements are positioned at the top and bottom of the box, then the middle part of the box is left free for user visibility, but the toasting becomes inhomogeneous with the middle part receiving insufficient radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector housing is designed with non-uniform geometry where different regions have different reflective properties. The curved surface is specifically shaped to redirect infrared radiation from the top and bottom heating elements toward the middle region of the bread, creating localized enhancement of radiation intensity where it is most needed while maintaining overall toasting uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector housing acts as an intermediary element between the heating elements and the bread. It intercepts infrared radiation from the heating elements and redirects it toward the middle region of the bread, serving as a mediating structure that redistributes thermal energy to achieve uniform toasting while keeping the heating elements positioned away from the bread
2Manufacturing precision
If reflector housings with curved surfaces are used to redirect radiation to the middle part of the bread, then radiation distribution is improved, but bread crumbs accumulate on the reflectors and burn causing smoke and fire risk
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of the reflector housing is separated from its useful function. The reflector housing continues to redirect radiation for uniform toasting, but the crumb accumulation problem is extracted and handled separately by the inclined bottom surface and drainage channel that guide crumbs away from the heating elements and reflectors to a collection area
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined bottom surface and drainage channel convert the potentially harmful accumulation of crumbs on hot surfaces into a beneficial drainage system. Crumbs that would otherwise burn on the reflectors are instead guided along the inclined surface into drainage channels that lead to a collection area away from the heating elements, transforming a fire hazard into a controlled disposal mechanism
3Ease of operation
If the box walls are made transparent for visual monitoring, then the user can observe the toasting process, but calcination marks on the reflectors become visible and appear unsightly
Solution Approach 1:
The crumb accumulation and calcination problem is extracted from the visible reflector surfaces and relocated to hidden drainage channels and a collection area. The inclined bottom surface guides crumbs away from the reflectors, and the drainage channels conduct them to a concealed collection reservoir, separating the harmful crumb accumulation function from the visible aesthetic surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage channel system acts as an intermediary that intercepts crumbs before they can reach the reflectors and create visible calcination marks. This hidden intermediate structure protects the visible aesthetic surfaces from contamination while maintaining the transparent wall design for visual monitoring
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 achieves more uniform toasting by regulating infrared radiation distribution and preventing bread crumb burning, enhancing user visibility and safety by reducing the risk of smoke and unsightly calcination marks on the appliance.
Implementation Method 1
The heating elements are included in reflector housings which have a generally curved shape, capable of reflecting part of the infrared radiation from the resistors towards the slices of bread
Implementation Method 2
reflecting part of the infrared radiation from the resistors towards the slices of bread
Implementation Method 3
part of a surface of said reflector is equipped with means for preventing the reflection of the radiation towards the bread
Implementation Method 4
at least one heating element by radiation comprises a wall arranged between the heating element and the movable housing. Said wall absorbs part of the radiation diffused in the direction of the bread
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a toaster. The toaster comprises a thermally insulating box, a mobile housing to receive a slice or piece of bread, and at least one heat element. Each one of the side walls of the thermally insulating box comprises two transparent plates and a space being provided between the two plates to form a wall. The heating element utilizes infrared radiation and is equipped with at least one means for preventing a portion of the radiation from diffusing towards the bread.