Toaster sensing device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toasting appliances face challenges in accurately measuring the chromatic properties of food due to temperature fluctuations affecting LED performance, leading to inconsistent toasting results, as sensing components are often positioned near heating elements, requiring continuous performance testing and normalization of light values.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly is designed with a reflector and light source to illuminate a portion of the food, with a light sensor to detect the reflected beam, positioned in cooler zones away from direct heat, using lenses to maintain light intensity and adjustable mirrors for multi-directional chromatic detection, and heat shields to stabilize the sensor temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor device is positioned near the heating element to enable direct line of sight access to the food surface, then the chromatic measurement capability is improved, but the LED light intensity varies due to high temperature causing measurement inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two functional sections: a measurement section with the LED and detector positioned near the heating element for direct food surface access, and a control section positioned away from heat sources for stable temperature operation. This segmentation allows each section to operate in its optimal thermal environment while maintaining functional integration through optical coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
An optical coupling mechanism (including optical fibers, lenses, or reflective surfaces) is introduced as an intermediary to transmit light between the LED and the food surface without requiring the detector to be positioned in the high-temperature zone. This intermediary allows the measurement function to occur near the heating element while the detection function occurs in a cooler environment.
2Reliability
If the sensor device is positioned in a cooler zone away from direct heat, then the LED light intensity stability is improved, but direct line of sight access to the food surface is blocked by appliance internal parts
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path is extended into a third dimension by using optical fibers or reflective surfaces to route light around appliance internal structures. This allows the detector to be positioned in a cooler zone while maintaining an unobstructed optical path to the food surface through spatial routing rather than direct linear positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical intermediaries such as fiber optic cables, lenses, or mirrors are used to bridge the gap between the cooler detector position and the heated food surface. These intermediaries transmit optical information through or around obstructing appliance parts, enabling measurement capability without compromising thermal stability.
3Measurement precision
If continuous LED performance testing is conducted across a range of temperatures to normalize light values, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and testing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature compensation function is extracted from the high-temperature measurement environment and relocated to the cooler control section where temperature-stable reference measurements can be taken. This allows normalization to be performed in a stable thermal environment, reducing the need for continuous temperature-based calibration across varying operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-calibration by using the temperature-stable control section as a reference point. The system automatically compensates for LED intensity variations by comparing measurements taken in the stable thermal environment with those taken near the heating element, eliminating the need for external continuous testing and manual software updates.
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 setup improves the accuracy of chromatic measurements by maintaining optimal sensor performance, reducing the need for continuous LED testing, and ensuring even toasting by positioning sensors in cooler zones and using reflective surfaces to manage heat, resulting in consistent and precise toasting results.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector having a reflector surface, the reflector having a wall portion through which light can pass, to be aligned with the wall apertured portion
Implementation Method 2
a heat sink located between the wall and sensor device, the heat sink providing for passage of the source light beam and reflect beam thereby
Implementation Method 3
a light source to produce a source light beam directed at the wall portion so as to illuminate a portion of the product
Implementation Method 4
a light sensor fixed with respect to the light source and aligned with the wall portion so as to receive the reflected beam and provide a signal indicative of a property of the reflected beam
Data Source
AI summary
A toaster (103) having a side wall (10) with a reflective surface (16) to reflect radiant heat towards a toasting chamber (13), and an external surface to which there is attached a sensor assembly (12). The sensor assembly (12) provides a source beam to illuminate part of the product and receives a reflected beam that is received by a sensor, with the sensor providing a signal indicative of a property of the reflected beam and therefore a chromatic property of the product.