Independent Toaster Heating Control for Even Bread Browning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional toasters lack independent control over heating elements, leading to uneven toasting and difficulty in achieving desired toasting levels for different types of bread, as users must rely on single controls and guesswork due to variations in heating element wattage and bread types.

Innovation Solution

A toaster device with independently controllable heating elements for each side of the bread slots, providing users with adjustable controls and visual feedback to customize toasting settings for each side of the bread, including the use of tactile interfaces and electronic controls for precise temperature and time settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If conventional toasters use shared heating elements for multiple bread slots, then device complexity is reduced, but toasting uniformity and control precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating element configurationVSAvoidt Toasting uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the heating system into independent heating elements for each bread slot and each side of the bread. Each heating element can be controlled separately, allowing precise control over toasting for each side of each bread slice. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by accepting increased device complexity to achieve superior toasting uniformity and control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If toasters provide single control for all heating elements, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to different bread types deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol interfaceVSAvoidbread type accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic controls that allow users to adjust toasting parameters for each heating element independently. The control system adapts to different bread types, thicknesses, and desired toasting levels by allowing selective activation and intensity adjustment of individual heating elements, thereby achieving both ease of operation and high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different toasting settings for different locations (sides and slots). Each heating element can be controlled independently with its own settings, enabling users to apply different toasting qualities to different parts of the bread based on specific requirements for each bread type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If toasters use fixed heating element wattage, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different toasting needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating element specificationVSAvoidt Toasting level adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by allowing users to adjust the power input and duration for each heating element independently. While the heating elements themselves have fixed wattage specifications, the control system varies the operational parameters (power level, time, activation sequence) to achieve different toasting outcomes, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If toasters energize all heating elements simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but control precision over individual bread surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvet Toasting speedVSAvoidsurface toasting control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by allowing sequential or intermittent activation of different heating elements. Users can control which heating elements are active at different times during the toasting cycle, enabling selective toasting of different bread surfaces. This approach maintains productivity through efficient heating cycles while achieving precise control over which surfaces are toasted and to what degree.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enables precise control over toasting, ensuring even and desired toasting results for various bread types, reducing the likelihood of under-toasting, over-toasting, or unevenly toasted surfaces, while also providing a safer and healthier kitchen appliance with antimicrobial properties.

Implementation Method 1

the heating elements are electrified and thereby heated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9215951B2Toaster with independently controllable heating elements

Publication Date: 2015.12.22 KORBIN WILLIAM S

AI summary

A toaster having a body portion engageable over a housing with slots sized for bread passage therethrough aligned with cavities on said house sized to accommodate the bread for toasting. Individually controlled heating elements on each side of each cavity to allow users to independently control the amount of toasting of each side of each inserted piece of bread. The exterior of the body is preferably porcelain to provide resistance to heat transference to the body of the user and to provide a plurality of colors available for the housings.