Induction cooker with a controller for directing eddy currents

Abstract

The invention relates to an induction cooker comprising a first coil (10), a carrier plate (20) where the first coil (10) is disposed, and an upper plate (30) provided to cover the first coil (10) and aligned with a heating area (32) formed by the first coil (10) in a cooking mode where a ferromagnetic object to be heated is disposed. The induction cooker comprises a controller (40) configured to direct the eddy currents formed in the base of the object to be heated by changing the frequency value of the current passing through the first coil (10) in the cooking mode, providing relative movement of the object to be heated with respect to the upper plate (30).

Description

[0001] INDUCTION COOKER WITH A CONTROLLER FOR DIRECTING EDDY CURRENTS

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to an induction cooking device with a controller, specifically an induction cooker.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] Induction cookers use an electromagnetic field to transfer heat directly to a pot or pan during the cooking process. These cookers are faster and more energy-efficient compared to traditional gas or electric cookers. The coils used in induction cookers produce a high- frequency AC current, which transfers energy to the pot or pan via induction. Problems can occur during energy transfer between the coils and the object to be heated within a cooking cell formed by multiple coils inside the induction cooker.

[0006] JP2007157497A discloses the issue of providing an induction heating device that reduces the buoyant force on an object to be heated, made from a material with low magnetism, while maintaining sufficient heating power. The induction heating device includes a heating coil arranged beneath an upper plate where the object to be heated is placed, and a high- frequency circuit that enables induction heating and initiates the heating process. The heating coil is arranged to be in close contact with the upper plate and is formed by winding a base wire with a diameter not less than cp 0.3 mm.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The objective of the invention is to enable interference with the object to be heated in induction cookers using induction forces.

[0009] To achieve the aforementioned objective, the invention relates to an induction cooker comprising a first coil, a carrier plate where the first coil is placed, an upper plate provided to cover the first coil, and a cooking mode where a ferromagnetic object to be heated is placed in alignment with the heating area formed by the first coil. The induction cooker includes a controller configured to direct the eddy currents formed in the base of the object to be heated by changing the frequency value of the current passing through the first coil in the cooking mode, providing relative movement of the object to be heated with respect to the upper plate. Thus, the eddy currents formed in the base of the object to be heated change its position on the upper plate, ensuring it aligns within the heating area and improves heating efficiency.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the controller is configured to create eddy currents greater than the weight of the object to be heated, thereby lifting it. This eliminates friction and facilitates the movement of the object on the upper plate.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the controller is configured to rotate the object to be heated around its axis using eddy currents. This helps achieve homogeneous cooking by assisting the stirring process during cooking.

[0012] In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the induction cooker includes at least one second coil adjacent to the first coil, and the controller is configured to transfer the object to be heated from the first coil to the second coil by changing the current frequency values corresponding to the first and second coils in a transport mode. This ensures the object moves within the heating area during the heating process.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment, the group formed by the first and second coils is arranged on the carrier plate in a multiple, sequential manner. This allows the induction cooker to guide the movement of the object to be heated by manipulating the repulsion and attraction forces between them.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment, the first and second coils have the same cross-sectional area. This balances the repulsion and attraction forces applied to each other.

[0015] In yet another preferred embodiment, the upper plate is made of glass or ceramic material. This ensures no heat flow occurs between the heating element and the glass, thereby improving energy efficiency.

[0016] In a preferred application of the invention, the method of operation includes the steps of placing the object to be heated in the heating area corresponding to the first coil on the upper plate in a heating mode, changing the current frequency values of the first coil by the controller to form eddy currents greater than the weight of the object, lifting the object with the created eddy currents, and transferring the lifted object from a first point corresponding to the first coil to a second point corresponding to a second coil adjacent to the first coil in a transport mode. This ensures the safe transfer of the object within the induction cooker. In another preferred application of the invention, the method includes rotating the lifted object around its axis by the controller. This facilitates the stirring process and improves the rate of homogeneous cooking.

[0017] In yet another preferred application, after the completion of the heating mode, the method includes gradually reducing the frequency value by the controller, ensuring the object is placed on the upper plate without causing damage.

[0018] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0019] Figure 1 schematically shows the induction cooker according to the invention.

[0020] Figure 2 schematically shows the coil arrangement used in the induction cooker according to the invention.

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] In this detailed description, the development subject to the invention is explained with references to examples to better convey the subject, without imposing any limitations.

[0023] Figure 1 schematically shows the induction cooker. The induction cooker includes a first coil (10) and a carrier plate (20) where the first coil (10) and multiple sequential coils adjacent to the first coil (10) are disposed. The carrier plate (20) is located at the base of the induction cooker and has a rectangular form. An upper plate (30) is placed on the carrier plate (20) to cover the first coil (10) and adjacent coils. The upper plate (30) is made of glass or ceramic material in the preferred embodiment. The upper plate (30) includes a heating area (32) formed by the coils and where the object to be heated is placed. The object to be heated is ferromagnetic. In the preferred embodiment, the object to be heated can be a pot. A controller (40) that changes the current frequency values of the first coil (10) to create eddy currents in the base of the object to be heated in a cooking mode is located in the base of the object to be heated. The controller (40) changes the current frequency values within a specific range to form eddy currents in the base of the object to be heated. The frequency change is determined by the material and total weight values of the object to be heated. For example, when the object to be heated is made of aluminum and copper alloy and weighs 2000 grams, the frequency is selected as 68 kHz. The created eddy currents form a magnetic field greater than the weight of the object to be heated in a transport mode, and the magnetic field is directed by the controller (40) to move the object on the upper plate (30).

[0024] Figure 2 schematically shows the coil arrangement in the induction cooker according to the invention. The first coil (10) is placed in the carrier plate (20) shown in Figure 1. The second coil (50) and multiple other coils adjacent to the first coil (10) form a honeycomb-like structure. The coils (10, 50) are placed with a distance between them and have the same cross- sectional area. In a transport mode, the object to be heated moves from a first point (12) corresponding to the first coil (10) to a second point (52) corresponding to the adjacent second coil (50).

[0025] In the method of operation of the induction cooker, a magnetic field is formed in the base of the object to be heated placed in the heating area (32) in a heating mode by the current passing through the first coil (10) and the second coil (50). The controller (40) changes the current frequency values passing through the coils (10, 50) within a specific range to form eddy currents in the base of the object to be heated. The eddy currents are greater than the weight of the object, lifting it from the upper plate (30). The lifted object moves from the first coil (10) to the second coil (50) in a transport mode. In a cooking mode, the lifted object rotates around its axis, performing the stirring process. After the heating process is completed, the current frequency values passing through the coils (10, 50) are gradually reduced, ensuring the object is placed on the upper plate (30) without causing damage.

[0026] REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0027] 10 First Coil

[0028] 12 First Point

[0029] 20 Carrier Plate

[0030] 30 Upper Plate

[0031] 32 Heating Area

[0032] 40 Controller

[0033] 50 Second Coil

[0034] 52 Second Point

Claims

CLAIMS1. An induction cooker comprising a first coil (10), a carrier plate (20) where the first coil (10) is disposed, and an upper plate (30) provided to cover the first coil (10) and aligned with a heating area (32) formed by the first coil (10) in a cooking mode where a ferromagnetic object to be heated is disposed, characterized in that a controller (40) is configured to direct the eddy currents formed in the base of the object to be heated by changing the frequency value of the current passing through the first coil (10) in the cooking mode, providing relative movement of the object to be heated with respect to the upper plate (30).

2. An induction cooker according to claim 1 , wherein the controller (40) is configured to drive coil to create eddy currents greater than the weight of the object to be heated to lift the object.

3. An induction cooker according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (40) is configured to rotate the object to be heated around its axis using eddy currents.

4. An induction cooker according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one second coil (50) adjacent to the first coil (10), and the controller (40) is configured to transfer the object to be heated from the first coil (10) to the second coil (50) by changing the current frequency values corresponding to the first coil (10) and the second coil (50) in a transport mode.

5. An induction cooker according to claim 4, wherein the first coil (10) and the second coil (50) is having the same cross-sectional area.

6. An induction cooker according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper plate (30) is made of glass or ceramic material.

7. A method of operation for an induction cooker according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of forming a heating area (32) on the upper plate (30) in a heating mode, where the object to be heated is placed and corresponding to the first coil (10), changing the current frequency values of the first coil (10) by the controller (40) to form eddy currents greater than the weight of the object, lifting the object with the created eddy currents, and transferring the lifted object from a first point (12) corresponding to the first coil (10) to a second point (52) corresponding to the adjacent second coil (50) in a transport mode.

8. A method of operation for an induction cooker according to claim 7, comprising the step of rotating the lifted object around its axis by the controller (40).

Images