Battery induction warmer

Abstract

This invention discloses a battery-powered induction heater. The battery-powered induction heater includes a housing, a heating module, at least one battery, and a control module. The housing has a receiving space, an upper opening communicating with the receiving space, and a mounting hole. The heating module is disposed on the housing. The upper opening is covered by the heating module. At least one battery is detachably disposed within the housing through the mounting hole. At least one battery is located within the receiving space, and a portion of at least one battery is exposed to the outside of the housing through the mounting hole. The control module is disposed within the receiving space and can control the heating module to perform heating via power supplied by at least one battery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an induction heater, and more particularly to a battery-powered induction heater. Prior Technology

[0002] Existing induction heaters can generate enough heat to cook food using mains power. However, because existing induction heaters rely solely on mains power as their only energy source, they are not portable (for example, existing induction heaters cannot be used when camping in remote locations without mains power).

[0003] Therefore, the inventor believed that the above-mentioned defects could be improved. So he devoted himself to research and applied scientific principles, and finally proposed an invention that is reasonably designed and effectively improves the above-mentioned defects. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery-powered induction heater that addresses the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention discloses a battery-powered induction heater, comprising: a housing having an accommodating space and an upper opening and a mounting hole spatially communicating with the accommodating space; a heating module disposed on the housing, the upper opening being covered by the heating module, and a portion of the heating module being located within the accommodating space; at least one battery detachably mounted within the housing through the mounting hole, the at least one battery being located within the accommodating space, and a portion of the at least one battery being exposed to an outer side of the housing through the mounting hole; and a control module disposed within the accommodating space and electrically coupled to the heating module and the at least one battery, the control module being capable of controlling the heating module to perform heating via power provided by the at least one battery.

[0006] Preferably, the housing has a base plate relative to the upper opening and a plurality of side plates connected to the base plate, and the mounting hole is located on one of the side plates.

[0007] Preferably, the surface of the portion of the at least one battery exposed on the outer side of the housing is coplanar with the side plate having the mounting hole.

[0008] Preferably, the housing further includes a plurality of baffles parallel to the plurality of side plates, the plurality of baffles abutting against the at least one battery, and the height of each baffle is less than the height of the at least one battery, so that the plurality of baffles and the heating module together form a heat dissipation gap.

[0009] Preferably, the battery-type induction heater further includes a plurality of heat sinks disposed within the accommodating space, and the housing has two ventilation areas that spatially communicate with the accommodating space, one of which is disposed on the side plate away from the at least one battery and is connected to the at least one battery, the heat sinks, and the heat dissipation gap by an imaginary configuration line.

[0010] Preferably, the battery-powered induction heater further includes a fan disposed within the accommodating space, the plurality of heat sinks being parallel to each other and perpendicular to the imaginary configuration line; the fan has a gas flow path that passes through the plurality of heat sinks and is discharged from the ventilation area disposed on the base plate.

[0011] Preferably, the battery-type induction heater further includes a limiting structure disposed on the housing; the at least one battery has a recess; a portion of the limiting structure is exposed from the outside of the housing and operable to move between a release position and a limiting position; wherein, when the limiting structure is in the limiting position, the limiting structure abuts against the recess of the at least one battery and restricts the movement of the at least one battery; when the limiting structure is in the release position, the limiting structure moves away from the recess of the at least one battery, and the at least one battery is separated from the housing.

[0012] Preferably, the at least one battery includes an output port, and the control module includes an input port; when the at least one battery is restricted from movement by the limiting structure located at the limiting position, the output port is electrically coupled to the input port, so that power from the at least one battery can be input to the control module; when the at least one battery is separated from the housing, the output port is moved away from the input port and is not electrically coupled to the input port.

[0013] Preferably, the limiting structure includes: a mounting bracket fixed to the housing and located within the accommodating space; an operating element disposed on the mounting bracket, the operating element including: a button located on one side of the mounting bracket; two drive arms connected to the button, a portion of each drive arm spanning the mounting bracket and located on the other side of the mounting bracket, the portion of each drive arm having a protrusion; and a first spring disposed between the surfaces of the mounting bracket facing each other and the surface of the button, the first spring being able to abut against the button and the mounting bracket, allowing the button and the two drive arms to move in a direction away from the center of the housing; and a hook-like element located on the other side of the mounting bracket, the hook-like element including: a hook block having an accommodating groove and two tracks, each of the tracks... The space connects to the receiving groove and is skewed relative to the longitudinal direction of the first spring. The two protrusions of the two drive arms are respectively mounted on the two tracks, allowing the hook block to move relative to the operating element. A second spring is disposed in the receiving groove and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first spring. The second spring can abut against the surface of the hook block and the heating module. The limiting structure can be held in the limiting position by the first spring and the second spring. Part of the button can be exposed from the outside of the housing. The hook block can be pulled by the two drive arms, causing the hook block to abut against the groove. When the system structure is in the release position, part of the button moves toward the housing, and the hook block can be pushed by the two drive arms, causing the hook block to separate from the groove.

[0014] Preferably, the number of the at least one battery is two, and the control module can detect the battery capacity of the two batteries and select the battery with the higher battery capacity to provide power to the heating module.

[0015] In summary, the battery-powered induction heater disclosed in this embodiment of the invention, through the design that "at least one battery is detachably installed in the housing through the mounting hole" and "the control module can control the heating module to heat through the power provided by the at least one battery", can be used in any area and can be quickly maintained by replacing at least one battery.

[0016] To further understand the features and technical content of this invention, please refer to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. However, these descriptions and drawings are only for illustrating the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the invention in any way. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the battery-type heater of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the battery-type heater of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view along section III-III in Figure 1.

[0020] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view along section IV-IV in Figure 1.

[0021] Figure 5 is an enlarged schematic diagram of region V in Figure 4.

[0022] Figure 6 is an enlarged schematic diagram of the limiting structure of the present invention in the release position.

[0023] Figure 7 is an exploded view of the limiting structure of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 is another exploded view of the limiting structure of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view along section IX-IX in Figure 1.

[0026] Figure 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the battery-powered heater of the present invention. Implementation

[0027] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of the "battery-type heater" disclosed in this invention. Those skilled in the art can understand the advantages and effects of this invention from the content disclosed in this specification. This invention can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified and changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the concept of this invention. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings of this invention are for simple illustrative purposes only and are not depictions of actual dimensions; this is stated beforehand. The following embodiments will further describe the relevant technical content of this invention in detail, but the disclosed content is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention.

[0028] It should be understood that while terms such as "first," "second," and "third" may be used in this document to describe various components or signals, these components or signals should not be limited by these terms. These terms are primarily used to distinguish one component from another, or one signal from another. Furthermore, the term "or" as used herein should, as appropriate, include any combination of one or more of the related listed items.

[0029] Additionally, in the following description, if it is indicated that a specific diagram is referred to or as shown in a specific diagram, it is only to emphasize that most of the relevant content in the following description appears in that specific diagram, but does not limit the following description to refer only to that specific diagram.

[0030] Referring to Figures 1 to 10, this embodiment provides a battery-powered induction heater 100. The battery-powered induction heater 100 includes a housing 1, a heating module 2 disposed within the housing 1, at least one battery 3 detachably disposed within the housing 1, and a control module 4 electrically coupled to the heating module 2 and the at least one battery 3. The battery-powered induction heater 100 can utilize the control module 4 to supply power from the at least one battery 3 to the heating module 2 for heating, thus allowing the operation of the battery-powered induction heater 100 to be unrestricted by the operating environment. The structure of each component of this battery-powered induction heating device 100 and their connection relationships will be described below.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 9, the housing 1 in this embodiment is a rectangular recessed structure, and has an accommodating space A11, and an upper opening A12 that spatially connects the accommodating space A11 with a mounting hole A13.

[0032] In detail, the housing 1 has a base plate 11 opposite to the upper opening A12, and a plurality of side plates 12 connected to the base plate 11. In other words, the base plate 11 and the plurality of side plates 12 together form the accommodating space A11, and the upper opening A12 is located on the side of the housing 1 away from the base plate 11.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the heating module 2 is disposed on the housing 1. The upper opening A12 is covered by the heating module 2, and a portion of the heating module 2 is located within the accommodating space A11. That is, another portion of the heating module 2 is located on the outside of the housing 1 to serve as a contact plate (e.g., a glass plate) that can directly contact cooking utensils. Furthermore, the inductance value of the heating module 2 is preferably in the range of 10 microhenries (µH) to 20 microhenries (µH).

[0034] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, at least one battery 3 is detachably disposed within the housing 1 through the mounting hole A13 and located in the accommodating space A11. Furthermore, a portion of the at least one battery 3 is exposed on the outside of the housing 1 through the mounting hole A13, and further has a recessed area for hooking with a finger, allowing the user to easily remove the at least one battery 3 from the outside of the housing 1.

[0035] Preferably, the surface of the portion of the at least one battery 3 exposed on the outside of the housing 1 is coplanar with the side plate 12 having the mounting hole A13 (as shown in FIG. 1). In another embodiment of the invention not shown, to facilitate the separation of the at least one battery 3 from the housing, the battery-type induction heater 100 includes a resilient operating element 52 (e.g., a latch pusher) mounted within the housing 1, and can selectively push the at least one battery 3 away from the housing 1.

[0036] However, the present invention is not limited to the fact that the at least one battery 3 and the side plate 12 are coplanar. For example, the at least one battery 3 may also protrude from the side plate 12.

[0037] Furthermore, to ensure that the at least one battery 3 does not shift due to vibration or impact, the housing 1 includes a plurality of baffles 13 parallel to the plurality of side plates 12 (e.g., as shown in Figures 3 and 9). Specifically, the plurality of baffles 13 are arranged in a C-shape and all have an opening corresponding to the position of the mounting hole A13. The at least one battery 3 can pass through the mounting hole A13 into the receiving space A11, and the plurality of baffles 13 can abut against the at least one battery 3.

[0038] It is worth mentioning that, in order to facilitate the rapid release of the at least one battery 3, the battery-type induction heater 100 also includes a limiting structure 5, and the at least one battery 3 has a groove 31 that can cooperate with the limiting structure 5 (as shown in Figures 5, 7 and 8).

[0039] Specifically, a portion of the limiting structure 5 is exposed to the outside of the housing 1 and can be operated (e.g., pressed) so that the limiting structure 5 can move between a release position P1 (as shown in FIG. 6) and a limiting position P2 (as shown in FIG. 5).

[0040] When the limiting structure 5 is in the limiting position P2 (as shown in FIG. 5), the limiting structure 5 can abut against the groove 31 of the at least one battery 3 to limit the movement of the at least one battery 3. When the limiting structure 5 is in the releasing position P1 (as shown in FIG. 6), the limiting structure 5 is away from the groove 31 of the at least one battery 3, and the at least one battery 3 can be separated from the housing 1.

[0041] As shown in Figures 5, 7, and 8, in one embodiment, the limiting structure 5 may further include a mounting bracket 51, an operating element 52, and a hook-shaped element 53. Specifically, the mounting bracket 51 is fixed to the housing 1 and located within the accommodating space A11. The operating element 52 is disposed on the mounting bracket 51 and includes a button 521, two drive arms 522, and a first spring 523.

[0042] The button 521 is located on one side of the mounting bracket 51, and two drive arms 522 are connected to the button 521. A portion of each drive arm 522 spans across the mounting bracket 51 and is located on the other side of the mounting bracket 51. Furthermore, each of the drive arms 522 has a protrusion 5221 in that portion.

[0043] The first spring 523 is disposed between the surface of the mounting bracket 51 facing each other and the surface of the button 521. That is, the first spring 523 can abut against the button 521 and the mounting bracket 51, so that the button 521 and the two drive arms 522 move together in a direction away from the center of the housing 1.

[0044] Furthermore, the hook-shaped element 53 is located on the other side of the mounting bracket 51, and the hook-shaped element 53 includes a hook block 531 and a second spring 532.

[0045] The hook block 531 has a receiving groove 5311 and two tracks 5312. Each track 5312 is spatially connected to the receiving groove 5311 and is skewed relative to the longitudinal direction of the first spring 523. In this embodiment, each of the two tracks 5312 is triangular, and the hypotenuse of the triangle is skewed relative to the longitudinal direction of the first spring 523, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0046] The two protrusions 5221 of the two drive arms 522 are respectively installed in the two tracks 5312, so that the hook block 531 can move relative to the operating element 52. More specifically, the hook block 531 can move up and down according to the position of the limiting structure 5 (i.e., the release position P1 and the limiting position P2).

[0047] The second spring 532 is disposed within the receiving groove 5311 and is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first spring 523. The second spring 532 can abut against the hook block 531 and the surface of the heating module 2.

[0048] Accordingly, the limiting structure 5 can be maintained in the limiting position P2 by the first spring 523 and the second spring 532. When the limiting structure 5 is in the limiting position P2, part of the button 521 is exposed from the outside of the housing 1, and the hook 531 is pulled by the two drive arms 522, causing the hook 531 to abut against the groove 31. When the limiting structure 5 is in the releasing position P1, part of the button 521 moves toward the housing 1, and the hook 531 is pushed by the two drive arms 522, causing the hook 531 to separate from the groove 31.

[0049] Furthermore, to facilitate quick connection of the at least one battery 3 to the control module 4, the at least one battery 3 includes an output port 32, and the control module 4 includes an input port 41 (as shown in Figures 4 and 9). Specifically, the input port 41 is located at the position corresponding to the location of the at least one battery 3 in the accommodating space A11. Therefore, when the at least one battery 3 is restricted from movement by the limiting structure 5 located at the limiting position P2, the output port 32 is electrically coupled to the input port 41, allowing power from the at least one battery 3 to be input to the control module 4. When the at least one battery 3 is separated from the housing 1, the output port 32 is moved away from the input port 41 and is not electrically coupled to the input port 41.

[0050] As shown in Figure 9, the control module 4 is disposed within the accommodating space A11 and electrically coupled to the heating module 2 and the at least one battery 3. The control module 4 can control the heating module 2 to perform heating using the power provided by the at least one battery 3.

[0051] It should be noted that the control module 4 generates high temperatures during operation, so the battery-powered induction heater 100 may further include multiple heat sinks 6 that contact the control module 4, and the housing 1 may also include two ventilation areas 14 that spatially connect the accommodating space A11. Accordingly, the multiple heat sinks 6 can absorb heat energy from the control module 4 and release heat energy through the two ventilation areas 14.

[0052] Furthermore, when the multiple heat sinks 6 absorb heat, an airflow is also generated within the housing 1 to assist in the discharge of heat generated by the at least one battery 3. Preferably, the height of each baffle 13 is less than the height of the at least one battery 3, so that the multiple baffles 13 and the heating module 2 share a common heat dissipation gap HG (as shown in Figure 3).

[0053] Specifically, one of the ventilation zones 14 is located on the side plate 12 away from the at least one battery 3, and together with the at least one battery 3, the plurality of heat sinks 6, and the heat dissipation gap HG, is traversed by an imaginary configuration line LCL (as shown in FIG. 9), so that the airflow has the shortest exhaust path. Furthermore, the lengths of the projection areas of the plurality of heat sinks 6 along the imaginary configuration line LCL onto the two ventilation zones 14, and the lengths of the projection areas of the plurality of heat sinks 6 along the imaginary configuration line LCL onto the at least one battery 3, are all greater than half the length of each heat sink 6.

[0054] Of course, the battery-powered induction heater 100 may further include a fan 7 disposed within the accommodating space A11, and the fan 7 can enhance the heat dissipation effect. Specifically, the plurality of heat sinks 6 are configured to be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the imaginary configuration line LCL. The fan 7 has a gas flow path that passes through the plurality of heat sinks 6 and exits through the plurality of side plates 12 into another ventilation area 14 located on the base plate 11. In other words, the airflow can impact the plurality of side plates 12 and pass through the aforementioned other ventilation area 14. In practice, the airflow can dissipate heat energy through both ventilation areas 14.

[0055] It is worth noting that the number of the at least one battery 3 can be two (as shown in Figure 10), and the two batteries 3 can be used alternately (e.g., one battery 3 is charging while the other battery 3 powers the heating module 2). Therefore, the control module 4 can detect the charge levels of the two batteries 3 and select the battery 3 with the higher charge level to power the heating module 2.

[0056] [Technical Effects of the Embodiments of the Invention]

[0057] In summary, the battery-powered induction heater disclosed in this embodiment of the invention, through the design that "at least one battery is detachably installed in the housing through the mounting hole" and "the control module can control the heating module to heat through the power provided by the at least one battery", can be used in any area and can be quickly maintained by replacing at least one battery.

[0058] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made based on the description and drawings of the present invention are included within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0059] 100: Battery-operated induction heater 1: Shell 11: Base Plate 12: Side panel 13: Retaining wall 14: Ventilation Area 2: Heating Module 3: Battery 31: Groove 32: Output Port 4: Control Module 41: Input Port 5: Restricted Structure 51: Mounting bracket 52: Operating element 521: Button 522: Drive Arm Bump 5221 523: First Spring 53: Hook-shaped element 531: Hook Block 5311: Receptacle 5312: Track 532: Second Spring 6: Heat sink 7: Fan A11: Storage space A12: Open at the top A13: Mounting hole LCL: Hypothetical Configuration Line HG: Heat dissipation gap P1: Release position P2: Restricted Position

Claims

1. A battery-powered induction heater, comprising: a housing having a receiving space and an upper opening and a mounting hole spatially communicating with the receiving space; a heating module disposed on the housing, the upper opening being covered by the heating module, a portion of the heating module being located within the receiving space; at least one battery removably mounted within the housing through the mounting hole, the at least one battery being located within the receiving space, and a portion of the at least one battery being exposed through the mounting hole to an outer side of the housing, the at least one battery having a recess; a control module disposed within the receiving space and electrically coupled to the heating module and the at least one battery, the control module being capable of controlling the heating module to heat using power provided by the at least one battery; and a limiting structure disposed on the housing, a portion of the limiting structure being exposed from the outer side of the housing and operable to move the limiting structure between a released position and a limited position; wherein... When the limiting structure is in the limiting position, it abuts against the groove of the at least one battery and restricts movement of the at least one battery; when the limiting structure is in the releasing position, it moves away from the groove of the at least one battery, and the at least one battery is separated from the housing; wherein, the limiting structure further comprises: a mounting bracket fixed to the housing and located within the accommodating space; an operating element disposed on the mounting bracket, the operating element comprising: a button located on one side of the mounting bracket; two drive arms connected to the button, a portion of each drive arm spanning the mounting bracket and located on the other side of the mounting bracket, the portion of each drive arm having a protrusion; and a first spring disposed between the surfaces of the mounting bracket facing each other and the surface of the button, the first spring abutting against the button and the mounting bracket, allowing the button and the two drive arms to move in a direction away from the center of the housing; and a hook-like element located on the other side of the mounting bracket, the hook-like element comprising: A hook block has a receiving groove and two tracks, each track spatially communicating with the receiving groove and oblique to a longitudinal direction relative to the first spring. Two protrusions of two drive arms are respectively mounted on the two tracks, allowing the hook block to move relative to the operating element. A second spring is disposed in the receiving groove and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first spring, and the second spring can abut against the surface of the hook block and the heating module. The limiting structure is held in the limiting position by the first spring and the second spring. Part of the button is exposed from the outside of the housing. The hook block can be pulled by the two drive arms to abut against the groove. When the limiting structure is in the releasing position, part of the button moves toward the housing, and the hook block can be pushed by the two drive arms to separate the hook block from the groove.

2. The battery-powered induction heater as described in claim 1, wherein, The housing has a base plate relative to the upper opening and a plurality of side plates connected to the base plate, and the mounting hole is located on one of the side plates.

3. The battery-powered induction heater as described in claim 2, wherein, The surface of the portion of the at least one battery exposed on the outer side of the housing is coplanar with the side plate having the mounting hole.

4. The battery-powered induction heater as described in claim 2, wherein, The housing further includes multiple baffles parallel to the multiple side plates, the multiple baffles abutting against the at least one battery, and the height of each baffle is less than the height of the at least one battery, so that the multiple baffles and the heating module together form a heat dissipation gap.

5. The battery-operated induction heater as described in claim 4, wherein, The battery-type induction heater also includes a plurality of heat sinks disposed within the accommodating space. The housing has two ventilation areas that are spatially connected to the accommodating space. One of the ventilation areas is disposed on the side plate away from the at least one battery and is connected to the at least one battery, the heat sinks, and the heat dissipation gap by an imaginary configuration line.

6. The battery-powered induction heater as described in claim 5, wherein, The battery-powered induction heater also includes a fan disposed within the accommodating space, with the plurality of heat sinks parallel to each other and perpendicular to the imaginary configuration line; the fan has a gas flow path that passes through the plurality of heat sinks and is discharged through the ventilation area disposed on the base plate via the plurality of side plates.

7. The battery-powered induction heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The at least one battery includes an output port, and the control module includes an input port; when the at least one battery is restricted from moving by the limiting structure located at the limiting position, the output port is electrically coupled to the input port, so that power from the at least one battery can be input to the control module; When the at least one battery is detached from the housing, the output port is located away from the input port and is not electrically coupled to the input port.

8. The battery-powered induction heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The number of the at least one battery is two, and the control module can detect the battery capacity of the two batteries and select the battery with the higher battery capacity to provide power to the heating module.

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