Wireless Temperature Probe Coil Layout for Compact Cooking Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current temperature sensing technologies for cooking are cumbersome due to intrusive cabling or battery requirements, and existing wireless solutions are limited in operating temperature range and costly, with inductive coupling probes taking up space and requiring parallel alignment.
Innovation Solution
A wireless temperature monitor probe with a spike and head design featuring a sensor inductor coil in the head, offset from the spike axis, allowing for non-planar orientation and minimal space usage, coupled inductively to a detector unit for remote monitoring without power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wireless temperature sensor uses inductive coupling with a resonant circuit coil, then wireless temperature monitoring is achieved, but the probe takes up space on the cooking surface and requires parallel alignment of coils
Solution Approach 1:
The probe transitions from a planar coil configuration to a three-dimensional structure where the resonant circuit coil is positioned at an angle relative to the cooking surface. This spatial reconfiguration allows the coil to maintain inductive coupling for wireless monitoring while occupying minimal surface area, effectively solving the contradiction between operational capability and space occupation.
2Reliability
If the resonant circuit coil is positioned parallel to the detector unit coil for correct functioning, then inductive coupling is achieved, but the probe requires precise alignment and takes up space
Solution Approach 1:
The probe employs an asymmetric configuration where the resonant circuit coil is oriented at an angle rather than being parallel to the detector unit coil. This asymmetric design maintains reliable inductive coupling while eliminating the need for precise parallel alignment, thereby improving ease of operation without sacrificing reliability.
3Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor uses intrusive cabling or batteries, then temperature sensing is achieved, but the device becomes inconvenient and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical connection systems (intrusive cabling and battery installations) with a wireless inductive coupling system. The resonant circuit coil in the probe couples inductively with the detector unit, eliminating the need for physical connections or battery replacements while maintaining temperature sensing capability, thus significantly improving user convenience.
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 easy, space-efficient, and cost-effective temperature monitoring of food items during cooking, with improved usability and flexibility by minimizing probe footprint and allowing for dense packing of objects in cooking chambers.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor inductor coil for wireless interrogation by an external detector unit thereby to determine the temperature at the temperature monitoring region
Implementation Method 2
a circuit having a temperature-dependent characteristic, wherein the circuit includes a sensor inductor coil
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless temperature monitor probe includes a spike for insertion into an object for which a core temperature is to be monitored and a head at a proximal end of the spike. A sensor inductor coil is in the head and is used for wireless interrogation by an external detector unit to determine the core temperature. The spike axis is not in the plane of the inductor coil in the head, for example so that there is a bend between them. This makes it easier to insert the spike while maintaining a desired orientation of the head, in particular to enable correct communication with the remote detector unit. In addition, it enables the head to be positioned against the object so that the probe takes up a minimum amount of space.