Removable Waffle Iron Heating Module for Cleanable Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional electric waffle makers face issues with hot oil or fatty substances seeping into the back of the plates, causing corrosion and short circuits, and dough can pass through gaps, leading to poor heat transfer and hygiene concerns.
Innovation Solution
A removable heating module with a shielded electric resistor embedded in dielectric insulating material, housed in a tubular protective sheath, is fitted inside the recess, allowing for easy cleaning and improved heat transfer, and a thermally insulating plate maintains constant thickness for effective insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed multilayer heating structure is used in the recess, then heating function is provided, but hot oil and fatty substances cause corrosion and short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The heating structure is divided into a removable heating module that can be separated from the recess. This segmentation allows the heating element to be removed for cleaning and maintenance, preventing corrosion accumulation and extending reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating module is extracted as a separate removable component from the recess. This extraction enables easy removal of the heating element for cleaning, preventing fatty substances from causing corrosion and short circuits over time.
2Reliability
If a fixed heating structure is used, then heating function is provided, but cleaning access is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The heating structure is segmented into a removable module that can be taken out of the recess. This allows complete access to the heating element for cleaning while maintaining structural stability when installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating module transitions from a fixed state during operation to a removable state during cleaning. This dynamic design allows the structure to be stable during use while providing easy access for maintenance.
3Strength
If a non-removable heating structure is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but maintenance and cleaning are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The heating structure is segmented into a removable module that maintains structural integrity when installed but can be easily removed for maintenance. The module includes all necessary components (heating element, insulation, housing) as an integrated unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating module is designed to be removable for cleaning and maintenance, allowing it to be recovered and reused after cleaning rather than being permanently fixed and difficult to maintain.
4Loss of energy
If the heating structure is sealed tightly, then heat transfer is improved, but dough can clog the gap between closing plate and recess
Solution Approach 1:
The heating structure is segmented into a removable module that can be taken out for cleaning. This prevents dough accumulation that would otherwise clog the gap between the closing plate and recess, maintaining heat transfer efficiency without clogging issues.
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 significantly increases the reliability and service life of the device by preventing corrosion and ensuring even heat distribution, while the removable design facilitates easy cleaning and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a shielded electric resistance capable of heating said plate when supplied with electric current
Implementation Method 2
embedded in dielectric insulating material but thermally good conductor
Implementation Method 3
a plate of thermally insulating material; which maintains a calibrated and constant thickness
Data Source
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AI summary
This appliance comprises a pair of plates (3a, 3b) made of a material that conducts heat well which are heated electrically and are hinged to each other, each of these plates having a cooking surface, which two cooking surfaces can be brought towards each other by pivoting one plate onto the other in order to cook a food product which is clamped between them, the rear or non-cooking surface of each of these plates having a depression (30b) with a flat base (37b) whose area is large; in accordance with the invention, a heating module (4b) whose shape is complementary to that of said depression (30b) is fitted into and fixed removably inside the latter, this module (4b) being provided with a shielded electric resistor capable of heating said plate (3b) and is supplied with electric current. Catering equipment, particularly for making waffles.