Circuit protection structure and induction cooker applying same

Abstract

The utility model discloses a circuit protection structure and the induction cooker of applying it, it includes: base, electric heating component, heat sensing component and open and close circuit, heat sensing component includes a plurality of settings in the heat sensing piece of base, the heat sensing piece can respond or detect the heat release of electric heating component in the base, electric heating component with heat sensing component all with open and close circuit electricity is connected, heat sensing component can send electric signal to open and close circuit, and through open and close circuit control the opening or close of electric heating component. A plurality of heat sensing pieces distribute in the base, can accurately, real -time inductive electric heating component produces the heat, and will temperature signal rapidly convert into electric signal and pass on open and close circuit. Open and close circuit according to these signals quickly judge whether trigger protection mechanism, effectively prevent the occurrence of overheat phenomenon. The design of a plurality of heat sensing pieces ensures that even if one of the sensors fails, the integrity of the protection function is still maintained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of induction cookers, and in particular to a circuit protection structure and an induction cooker using the same. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional overheat protection schemes for induction cookers typically employ a single NTC thermistor combined with software evaluation or a fuse. However, these schemes have several limitations. The single NTC with software evaluation approach is highly dependent on the software, making the system complex and susceptible to interference. Software malfunctions or misjudgments can lead to protection failure. While fuses provide hardware-level protection, their failure rate is relatively high, requiring replacement upon blown fuses, increasing maintenance costs and equipment downtime. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a more reliable, low-failure-rate overheat protection scheme that does not require complex software evaluation. Utility Model Content

[0003] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention proposes a circuit protection structure that can stably and reliably provide overheat protection.

[0004] This utility model also proposes an induction cooker with the above-mentioned circuit protection structure.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a circuit protection structure includes: a base, an electric heating component, a heat sensing component, and an on / off circuit; the electric heating component is disposed within the base and is capable of generating heat when energized; the heat sensing component includes a plurality of heat sensing elements disposed within the base, the heat sensing elements being capable of sensing or detecting the heat released by the electric heating component within the base; both the electric heating component and the heat sensing component are electrically connected to the on / off circuit, the heat sensing component being capable of sending an electrical signal to the on / off circuit, and controlling the opening or closing of the electric heating component through the on / off circuit.

[0006] The circuit protection structure according to this utility model embodiment has at least the following beneficial effects: By employing multiple heat-sensing elements and a dedicated on / off circuit, this circuit protection structure completely eliminates traditional fuses and complex software evaluation, achieving highly efficient overheat protection for the induction cooker. Multiple heat-sensing elements are distributed within the base, enabling precise and real-time sensing of the heat generated by the heating element and rapidly converting the temperature signal into an electrical signal, which is then transmitted to the on / off circuit. The on / off circuit quickly determines whether to trigger the protection mechanism based on these signals, promptly cutting off the power supply to the heating element and effectively preventing overheating. This hardware-based protection scheme offers fast response and high reliability. The design of multiple heat-sensing elements ensures that even if one sensor fails, the integrity of the protection function remains intact. Compared to traditional solutions, it significantly reduces the failure rate, decreases maintenance costs, improves the safety and lifespan of the induction cooker, and provides users with a more stable and reliable cooking experience.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the heat-sensing element is set as an NTC thermistor, and each of the heat-sensing elements is connected in series in the circuit.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the number of the heating elements is three, all three heating elements are installed in the middle of the base, and the electric heating components are distributed around the three heating elements.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the electric heating assembly includes a coil for loading an electric wire and coiling it within the base; three heat-sensing elements are mounted in the middle of the coil.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the heat-sensing assembly includes a mounting base, and each of the heat-sensing elements is mounted on the top of the mounting base, and the mounting base is snapped into the base.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the bottom of the mounting base is provided with an annular groove, and the middle of the base is provided with a fixing slot, and the mounting base is engaged with the fixing slot through the annular groove.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the base is equipped with a crystal plate, and the top of the mounting base is in contact with the crystal plate through the heat-sensing element.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a cooling fan is provided inside the base, and the cooling fan is used to drive airflow into the base and then out of the base.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the start-up and shut-down circuit includes a clamping module, which is connected to a power transistor and electrically connected to the heating element.

[0015] An induction cooker according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a circuit protection structure according to the first aspect of the present invention described above.

[0016] The induction cooker according to this utility model embodiment has at least the following beneficial effects: This circuit protection structure, by employing multiple heat-sensing elements and a dedicated on / off circuit, completely eliminates traditional fuses and complex software evaluation, achieving highly efficient overheat protection for the induction cooker. Multiple heat-sensing elements are distributed within the base, enabling precise and real-time sensing of the heat generated by the heating element and rapidly converting the temperature signal into an electrical signal, which is then transmitted to the on / off circuit. The on / off circuit quickly determines whether the protection mechanism is triggered based on these signals, promptly cutting off the power supply to the heating element and effectively preventing overheating. This hardware-based protection scheme has a fast response speed and high reliability. The design of multiple heat-sensing elements ensures that even if one sensor fails, the integrity of the protection function is maintained. Compared to traditional solutions, it significantly reduces the failure rate, decreases maintenance costs, improves the safety and lifespan of the induction cooker, and provides users with a more stable and reliable cooking experience.

[0017] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this utility model will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the circuit protection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the circuit protection structure is shown.

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the heat-sensing component of the circuit protection structure is shown.

[0020] Reference numerals: Base 100; Heating element 400; Fixing slot 450; Heating element 500; Mounting base 510; Annular groove 520; Heating element 550; Cooling fan 600; Crystal plate 800; Detailed Implementation The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0021] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the directional descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicate the directional or positional relationship based on the directional or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0022] In the description of this utility model, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. If "first" or "second" is used in the description, it is only for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0023] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "setting," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0024] Reference Figure 1 A circuit protection structure includes: a base 100, a heating element 400, a heat-sensing element 500, and an on / off circuit. The heating element 400 is disposed within the base 100 and generates heat when energized. The heat-sensing element 500 includes multiple heat-sensing components 550 disposed within the base 100, which can sense or detect the heat released by the heating element 400 within the base 100. Both the heating element 400 and the heat-sensing element 500 are electrically connected to the on / off circuit. The heat-sensing element 500 can send electrical signals to the on / off circuit, which then controls the opening or closing of the heating element 400. This circuit protection structure, by employing multiple heat-sensing components 550 and a dedicated on / off circuit, completely eliminates traditional fuses and complex software evaluation, achieving highly efficient overheat protection for induction cookers. The multiple heat-sensing components 550 distributed within the base 100 can accurately and in real-time sense the heat generated by the heating element 400 and quickly convert the temperature signal into an electrical signal, which is then transmitted to the on / off circuit. The on / off circuit quickly determines whether the protection mechanism is triggered based on these signals, promptly cutting off the power to the heating element 400 to effectively prevent overheating. This hardware-based protection scheme features fast response and high reliability. The design of multiple heating elements 550 ensures that the protection function remains intact even if one sensor fails. Compared to traditional solutions, it significantly reduces the failure rate, lowers maintenance costs, improves the safety and lifespan of the induction cooker, and provides users with a more stable and reliable cooking experience.

[0025] Furthermore, a temperature display module is added within the base 100 to display real-time temperature data inside the induction cooker, allowing users to intuitively understand temperature changes during cooking. The temperature display module can be an LED display or an LCD screen, installed on the control panel of the induction cooker. Through connection with the on / off circuit, the temperature data display module receives temperature signals from the NTC thermistor and converts them into intuitive numerical or graphical displays. This not only enhances the user's control over the induction cooker's operating status but also facilitates timely action in case of abnormal temperatures, such as adjusting cooking power or pausing use, further improving product safety and user satisfaction.

[0026] In some embodiments, reference is made to Figure 3 The heating element 550 is an NTC thermistor, and all heating elements 550 are connected in series in the circuit. Using NTC thermistors and connecting them in series makes the performance of the entire heating assembly 500 more stable and reliable. NTC thermistors, with their high sensitivity and fast response characteristics, can accurately monitor temperature changes. When the temperature rises, the resistance of the NTC thermistor decreases rapidly, thereby changing the total resistance in the series circuit. This change is quickly detected by the on / off circuit and triggers the protection action. The series connection structure ensures that multiple NTC thermistors work together; the circuit can only remain conductive when all NTCs are working normally. This design enhances the redundancy and reliability of the system. Once one NTC fails, the electrical signal of the entire circuit will change, and the on / off circuit will immediately detect the abnormality and take protective measures, effectively avoiding protection failure due to a single point of failure, and further improving the safety and stability of the induction cooker's overheat protection.

[0027] In some embodiments, reference is made to Figure 3 There are three heating elements 550, all mounted in the center of the base 100, with the heating element 400 surrounding them. This design, employing three NTC thermistors mounted in the center of the base 100, enables comprehensive and precise monitoring of the core heating area of ​​the induction cooker. The center of the base 100 is the area where heat is most concentrated in the induction cooker; concentrating the heating elements 550 here allows for immediate detection of abnormal temperature changes, ensuring timely protection response. The heating element 400 surrounding the three NTCs ensures heat is evenly distributed to each heating element 550, avoiding monitoring blind spots caused by localized overheating. The three NTCs also provide redundancy; even if one heating element 550 is interfered with or slightly malfunctions, the other two can still provide reliable temperature monitoring data, ensuring the on / off circuit accurately determines the temperature status of the induction cooker and takes timely protective measures. This greatly improves the reliability and stability of overheat protection and reduces safety risks caused by monitoring errors.

[0028] It is foreseeable that the number of heating elements 550 can be two, four, five, or other quantities. The specific implementation is not unique and can be adjusted according to actual needs; no limitation is imposed here. Furthermore, a backup NTC thermistor can be installed within the base 100, and an automatic switching circuit can be designed. When the operating NTC fails, the backup NTC can be immediately put into use. The backup NTC thermistor can be pre-installed in a specific position in the base 100 and connected to the on / off circuit through parallel or redundant circuits. The automatic switching circuit can monitor the status of the operating NTC in real time. Once a fault signal is detected, it immediately switches to the backup NTC, ensuring uninterrupted temperature monitoring. This redundant design greatly improves the reliability and fault tolerance of the induction cooker's overheat protection system, making it particularly suitable for kitchen environments with extremely high safety requirements, providing users with greater peace of mind.

[0029] In some embodiments, reference is made to Figure 2 The heating element 400 includes a coil for holding the power cord and coiling it within the base 100; three heating elements 550 are mounted in the center of the coil. The coil design of the heating element 400, installed within the base 100, allows the power cord to be neatly coiled, optimizing space utilization and heat distribution within the induction cooker. The coil structure not only improves the mechanical strength and stability of the heating element 400 but also ensures uniform heat release during the heating process. The three NTC thermistors mounted in the center of the coil allow them to directly contact or be close to the heat source, thus sensing temperature changes more accurately. This layout shortens the temperature sensing response time, improves the sensitivity of the protection system, and ensures rapid triggering of the protection mechanism in case of abnormal heat. Simultaneously, the coiled design makes the magnetic field distribution of the induction cooker more uniform, improving heating efficiency and enhancing the user experience.

[0030] In some embodiments, reference is made to Figure 3 The heating element 500 includes a mounting base 510, with each heating element 550 mounted on top of the mounting base 510, which snaps into the base 100. The mounting base 510, equipped with the heating element 500, centrally mounts multiple NTC thermistors on its top and secures them to the base 100 via a snap-fit ​​mechanism, significantly improving the installation efficiency and stability of the heating element 500. The mounting base 510 provides unified support and protection for the NTC thermistors, ensuring their precise positioning and reliable fixation during induction cooker operation. The snap-fit ​​fixing method is not only simple and quick to operate but also allows for easy removal of the mounting base 510 when maintenance or NTC replacement is required, without the need for complex tools or cumbersome wiring operations. This design simplifies the production assembly process, reduces labor costs, and also facilitates later maintenance and repair work, improving the overall reliability and market competitiveness of the induction cooker.

[0031] Furthermore, heat-insulating microparticles can be added to the material of the mounting base 510 to reduce heat absorption and conduction, protecting the NTC thermistor from excessive thermal interference. The heat-insulating microparticles reduce the thermal conductivity of the mounting base 510, allowing it to transfer heat while minimizing its own temperature rise, thus providing a relatively stable operating environment for the NTC thermistor. This is significant for improving the measurement accuracy of the NTC thermistor and extending its service life. Simultaneously, the addition of heat-insulating microparticles does not significantly affect the mechanical strength and processing performance of the mounting base 510, ensuring its stability and reliability within the induction cooker.

[0032] In some embodiments, reference is made to Figure 3 The mounting base 510 has an annular groove 520 at its bottom, and the base 100 has a fixing slot 450 in its middle. The mounting base 510 is snapped into the fixing slot 450 via the annular groove 520. The annular groove 520 at the bottom of the mounting base 510, in conjunction with the fixing slot 450 in the middle of the base 100, provides an efficient and stable installation solution. The cooperation between the annular groove 520 and the fixing slot 450 ensures that the mounting base 510 is centered within the base 100, avoiding inaccurate temperature monitoring by the NTC thermistor due to positional misalignment. The snap-fit ​​structure design allows the mounting base 510 to withstand a certain amount of mechanical vibration and thermal expansion and contraction without loosening, ensuring the stability and reliability of the heating element 500 throughout the entire lifespan of the induction cooker. Simultaneously, this snap-fit ​​method also allows for a degree of quick disassembly and assembly, facilitating periodic calibration or replacement of the heating element 500, ensuring it remains in good working condition for a long time, and providing a solid guarantee for the safe operation of the induction cooker.

[0033] Based on this, a wear-resistant and high-temperature-resistant coating is applied to the surface of the annular groove 520 to improve the coefficient of friction and durability between the mounting base 510 and the fixing slot 450 of the base 100. The wear-resistant coating can be made of materials such as diamond or ceramic coatings, effectively resisting wear caused by long-term clamping and disassembly, extending the service life of the mounting base 510 and the base 100. Simultaneously, the high-temperature-resistant coating ensures that the bonding strength between the annular groove 520 and the fixing slot 450 remains unaffected under high-temperature environments, maintaining a stable installation. This surface treatment technology enhances the long-term reliability of the induction cooker and reduces the potential risk of failure due to wear of mechanical parts.

[0034] In some embodiments, reference is made to Figure 2The base 100 houses the crystal plate 800, and the top of the mounting base 510 contacts the crystal plate 800 via a heating element 550. An annular groove 520 at the bottom of the mounting base 510 engages with a fixing slot 450 in the center of the base 100 for secure locking, providing an efficient and stable installation solution. The engagement of the annular groove 520 and the fixing slot 450 ensures the mounting base 510 is centered within the base 100, preventing inaccurate temperature monitoring by the NTC thermistor due to positional misalignment. The locking structure allows the mounting base 510 to withstand certain mechanical vibrations and thermal expansion and contraction without loosening, ensuring the stability and reliability of the heating element 500 throughout the induction cooker's lifespan. Simultaneously, this locking method allows for a degree of quick disassembly and assembly, facilitating periodic calibration or replacement of the heating element 500, ensuring its long-term optimal working condition and providing a solid guarantee for the safe operation of the induction cooker.

[0035] Specifically, a highly thermally conductive insulating gasket is placed between the crystal plate 800 and the NTC thermistor to optimize heat conduction and electrical insulation performance. The insulating gasket uses materials such as thermally conductive silicone pads, ensuring efficient heat transfer while preventing current leakage or short circuits. This design improves the accuracy of temperature monitoring while enhancing the safety performance of the induction cooker, meeting the stringent electrical safety requirements of modern home appliances. Furthermore, the flexibility and elasticity of the insulating gasket also provide some shock absorption, protecting the stability and reliability of the NTC thermistor during the operation of the induction cooker.

[0036] In some embodiments, reference is made to Figure 2 A cooling fan 600 is installed inside the base 100. The cooling fan 600 drives airflow into and out of the base 100. The cooling fan 600 actively drives airflow into and out of the base 100, providing an efficient heat dissipation solution for the heating element 400 and the heat-sensing element 500 inside the induction cooker. The introduction of the cooling fan 600 effectively reduces the operating temperature inside the base 100, reducing component aging and performance degradation caused by high temperatures. By accelerating airflow, the cooling fan 600 can promptly remove heat from the heat source and distribute it throughout the base 100, preventing localized overheating. This not only improves the overall efficiency of the induction cooker but also extends its service life, reduces maintenance costs, and provides users with a safer and more reliable user experience. The cooling fan 600's effect is particularly significant during prolonged high-load operation.

[0037] In some embodiments, reference is made to Figure 2The on / off circuit includes a clamping module, which is connected to a power transistor and electrically connected to the heating element 400. Under abnormal conditions such as high temperature, open circuit, or short circuit, when any NTC detects an abnormal temperature change, the protection circuit quickly clamps and pulls down the power transistor's drive signal, promptly cutting off the heating circuit or reducing the heating power, achieving precise and rapid hardware-level overheat protection. This multi-point monitoring method effectively compensates for the blind spots of traditional single NTC monitoring, ensuring that the induction cooker can reliably trigger overheat protection when using cookware of different shapes, significantly reducing the safety risks caused by localized overheating and improving the overall safety and reliability of the induction cooker.

[0038] The second aspect of this utility model provides an embodiment of an induction cooker, including the circuit protection structure described above. This circuit protection structure, by employing multiple heat-sensing elements 550 and a dedicated on / off circuit, completely eliminates traditional fuses and complex software evaluation, achieving highly efficient overheat protection for the induction cooker. Multiple heat-sensing elements 550 are distributed within the base 100, accurately and in real-time sensing the heat generated by the heating element 400 and rapidly converting the temperature signal into an electrical signal, which is then transmitted to the on / off circuit. The on / off circuit quickly determines whether the protection mechanism is triggered based on these signals, promptly cutting off the power supply to the heating element 400 to effectively prevent overheating. This hardware-based protection scheme offers fast response and high reliability. The design of multiple heat-sensing elements 550 ensures that even if one sensor fails, the integrity of the protection function remains intact. Compared to traditional solutions, it significantly reduces the failure rate, decreases maintenance costs, improves the safety and lifespan of the induction cooker, and provides users with a more stable and reliable cooking experience.

[0039] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0040] The embodiments of the present utility model have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A circuit protection structure, characterized in that, include: Base (100); An electric heating component (400) is disposed within the base (100), and the electric heating component (400) can generate heat when energized; The heat-sensing component (500) includes a plurality of heat-sensing elements (550) disposed in the base (100), the heat-sensing elements (550) being capable of sensing or detecting the heat released by the electric heating component (400) in the base (100); The start-stop circuit is provided, wherein the heating component (400) and the heat sensing component (500) are both electrically connected to the start-stop circuit. The heat sensing component (500) can send an electrical signal to the start-stop circuit and control the opening or closing of the heating component (400) through the start-stop circuit.

2. The circuit protection structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The heat-sensing element (550) is configured as an NTC thermistor, and each of the heat-sensing elements (550) is connected in series in the circuit.

3. The circuit protection structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The number of the three heat-sensing elements (550) is three, and all three heat-sensing elements (550) are installed in the middle of the base (100). The electric heating assembly (400) is distributed around the three heat-sensing elements (550).

4. The circuit protection structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The electric heating assembly (400) includes a coil for holding wires and coiling them within the base (100); three heat-sensing elements (550) are mounted in the middle of the coil.

5. The circuit protection structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The heat-sensing assembly (500) includes a mounting base (510), and each of the heat-sensing elements (550) is mounted on the top of the mounting base (510), which is snapped into the base (100).

6. The circuit protection structure as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The bottom of the mounting base (510) is provided with an annular groove (520), and the middle part of the base (100) is provided with a fixing slot (450). The mounting base (510) is engaged with the fixing slot (450) through the annular groove (520).

7. The circuit protection structure as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The base (100) is equipped with a crystal plate (800), and the top of the mounting base (510) is in contact with the crystal plate (800) through the heat-sensing element (550).

8. The circuit protection structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A cooling fan (600) is provided inside the base (100). The cooling fan (600) is used to drive airflow into the base (100) and then out of the base (100).

9. The circuit protection structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The start-stop circuit includes a clamping module, which is connected to a power transistor and electrically connected to the heating assembly (400).

10. An induction cooker, characterized in that, Includes the circuit protection structure described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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