An induction HOB with a temperature detection element and a control method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to an induction hob comprising a top plate (1), a first induction coil (10) provided on the top plate (1), and at least one second induction coil (20) provided on the top plate (1). The induction hob includes a temperature detection element (30) arranged so as to detect the temperature of the coil(s) (10, 20) when the first and / or at least one second coil (10, 20) is activated during a cooking mode; a comparator circuit (50) connected to the temperature detection element (30) and configured to make a comparison based on a predetermined temperature value; and a controller (40) configured, based on the comparison result of the comparator circuit (50), to open or close a relay (60)—which is connected to the first or second coil (10, 20) during a cooking mode—using the temperature detection element (30).

Description

[0001] AN INDUCTION HOB WITH A TEMPERATURE DETECTION ELEMENT AND A CONTROL

[0002] METHOD THEREOF

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present invention relates to cooktops with multiple heaters, in particular induction cooktops, whose power consumption is regulated by an electronic control unit.

[0005] STATE OF THE ART

[0006] Induction cooking appliances regulate the power supplied to the induction coil without taking temperature feedback into account. However, certain high temperatures can damage temperature-sensitive components such as protective mats used on the cooktop surface or pots and pans with PTFE coatings. In order to prevent this, additional circuit breakers similar to thermal cutouts are used. Yet, the most fundamental problem that can arise with the use of such cutouts is the erroneous interruption of the circuit caused by the installation of the thermal cutoff, rendering the product inoperative. As a result, service failures can occur. The product cannot resume operation on its own; the thermal component must be replaced by a service technician.

[0007] WO2022235413A1 relates to a cooking appliance. A cooking appliance comprises a cooktop with at least one heating element located beneath the cooking zone, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the cooking zone, and a controller. When the controller receives an indication that a temperature-sensitive component is present on the cooktop surface, if the detected temperature of the cooking zone approaches or exceeds a certain threshold or reaches a certain temperature for a specified degree and / or duration, the controller executes a temperature protection mode by enabling the detected temperature to exceed that certain degree and / or remain at that degree for a certain period. It is noted that this threshold is a predetermined temperature set so as not to exceed the point at which it would damage the temperature-sensitive component.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The object of the invention is to provide temperature control for the coils used in an induction hob. In order to achieve this objective, the invention relates to an induction hob comprising a top plate, a first induction coil provided on the top plate, and at least one second induction coil provided on the same top plate. The induction hob includes, a temperature detection element, arranged such that it detects the coil temperature when the first and / or at least one second coil is activated during a cooking mode, a comparator circuit connected to the temperature detection element, configured to perform a comparison based on a predetermined temperature value, a controller configured, based on the comparison result of the comparator circuit, to open or close a relay — associated with the first or second coil during a cooking mode — by using the temperature detection element. In this way, power control in the induction hob can be optimized depending on the use of the first and second cooking modules, thereby improving energy efficiency. Moreover, performing a comparison based on threshold values is important for safety. Thus, when a certain temperature value is exceeded, the control unit implements a designated action (e.g., switching a relay) to provide a safety measure.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the temperature detection element comprises an input unit in which temperature information is detected during a cooking mode. This enables accurate measurement of the coils’ temperature data.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the temperature detection element includes an output unit configured to transmit the temperature information received at the input unit to the comparator circuit. This ensures uninterrupted signal transmission among circuits within the induction hob. Thus, if a coil overheats, the error can be detected and the system can switch to a safe mode.

[0012] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the top plate includes a third induction coil and a fourth induction coil, each spaced apart from the first induction coil and the second induction coil. This arrangement provides four different cooking zones on the top plate.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the temperature detection element is configured to measure each coil separately. Hence, the temperature values of each coil are measured individually, allowing detection of which coil has reached an excessive temperature. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the controller includes a memory unit in which the comparison results from the comparator circuit are recorded during a cooking mode. This allows the control method information applied by the controller to be stored.

[0014] In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is a user panel connected so as to transmit signals to the controller, enabling a particular operating mode to be selected. In this way, the induction hob can be operated or switched to standby mode as required.

[0015] In a preferred application of the invention, the control method comprises the following steps of activating the first and / or at least one second induction coil during a cooking mode, detecting the temperature of the activated coils by means of a temperature detection element, comparing the detected temperature information via a comparator circuit and sending the result to the controller, and based on the comparison result, having the controller open or close the relay associated with the coils by means of the temperature detection element. Thus, high energy efficiency is achieved, and any potential safety issues arising from high temperatures during operation are avoided.

[0016] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0017] Figure 1 is a top view of the induction hob structure according to the invention.

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic view of the temperature detection element and the comparator circuit according to the invention.

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] In this detailed description, the development of the invention is described with references to examples solely for a better explanation of the subject and without imposing any limitations.

[0021] In Figure 1 , a top view of the induction hob structure according to the invention is shown. The induction hob includes a top plate (1 ) on which a first induction coil (10) is provided. A second induction coil (20) is located at a distance from the first induction coil (10). The first and second induction coils (10, 20) are controlled via a controller (40), which is connected to a user panel (2) provided on a circuit board (5) for signal transmission. The controller (40) is selected as a microcontroller. The temperature of the first coil (10) activated by the controller (40) is detected by a temperature detection element (30). The detected temperature information is sent to a comparator circuit (50). Within the comparator circuit (50), the temperature of the coil is compared to a predetermined threshold value. The controller (40) analyzes whether the detected temperature value is above or below the threshold, and in response, can open or close a relay (60) — which provides the main connection — using the temperature detection element (30). The controller (40) converts the request signal from the user panel (2) into the power data to be used. Based on the power data, the controller (40) decides whether the first coil (10) and the second coil (20) are to be activated or deactivated. When only the first induction coil (10) is operating under the controller’s (40) command, the temperature of the first induction coil (10) is measured and compared against the threshold by the comparator circuit (50). If it is below the threshold, the controller (40) allows the circuit to continue operating. If it exceeds the threshold, the controller uses the temperature detection element (30) to open the relay (60) and stop the power flow. The comparison results are recorded in a memory unit (90).

[0022] On the top plate (1), at a distance from the first induction coil (10), there is a third induction coil (70) and a fourth induction coil (80). The third and fourth induction coils (70, 80) are controlled via the controller (40), which is connected for signal transmission to the user panel (2) provided on the circuit board (5). The temperature of the third coil (70) activated by the controller (40) is detected by a temperature detection element (30). The detected temperature information is sent to a comparator circuit (50). In the comparator circuit (50), the temperature of the third coil (70) is compared to a predetermined threshold value. The controller (40) analyzes whether the detected temperature value is above or below the threshold, and in response, can open or close the relay (60) — which provides the main connection — through the temperature detection element (30). The controller (40) converts the request signal from the user panel (2) into power data to be used. Based on the power data, the controller (40) decides whether the first coil (10) and the second coil (20) are to be activated or deactivated. When only the first induction coil (10) is operating under the controller’s (40) command, the temperature of the first induction coil (10) is measured and compared against the threshold by the comparator circuit (50). If it is below the threshold, the temperature detection element (30) allows the circuit to operate. If it exceeds the threshold, the temperature detection element (30) opens the relay (60) and interrupts the power flow.

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic view of the temperature detection element and the comparator circuit according to the invention. When the first induction coil (10) shown in Figure 1 is activated, its temperature is detected via an input unit (32) on the temperature detection element (30). The detected temperature value is transferred from an output unit (34) to the comparator circuit (50). After performing the comparison in the comparator circuit (50), the result is sent to the controller (40). If the result indicates that the temperature is above the threshold, the controller (40) opens the relay (60) via the temperature detection element (30) to stop the flow of power. If the result is below the threshold, the controller (40) allows the flow of power through the relay (60).

[0024] REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0025] 1 Top Plate

[0026] 2 User Panel

[0027] 5 Circuit Board

[0028] 10 First Induction Coil

[0029] 20 Second Induction Coil

[0030] 30 Temperature Detection Element

[0031] 32 Input Unit

[0032] 34 Output Unit

[0033] 40 Controller

[0034] 50 Comparator Circuit

[0035] 60 Relay

[0036] 70 Third Induction Coil

[0037] 80 Fourth Induction Coil

[0038] 90 Memory Unit

Claims

CLAIMS1. An induction hob comprising a top plate (1), a first induction coil (10) provided on the top plate (1), and at least one second induction coil (20) provided on the top plate (1), characterized by a temperature detection element (30) arranged so as to detect the temperature of the coil(s) (10, 20) when the first and / or at least one second coil (10, 20) is activated during a cooking mode, a comparator circuit (50) connected to the temperature detection element (30) and configured to perform a comparison based on a predetermined temperature value, and a controller (40) configured, based on the comparison result from the comparator circuit (50), to open or close a relay (60) — to which the first or second coil (10, 20) is connected during a cooking mode — by using the temperature detection element (30).

2. An induction hob according to Claim 1 , wherein the temperature detection element (30) includes an input unit (32) at which temperature information is detected during a cooking mode.

3. An induction hob according to Claim 2, wherein the temperature detection element (30) has an output unit (34) configured to transmit the temperature information from the input unit (32) to the comparator circuit (50).

4. An induction hob according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a third induction coil (70) and a fourth induction coil (80) are provided on the top plate (1) at a distance from the first induction coil (10) and the second induction coil (20).

5. An induction hob according to Claim 4, wherein the temperature detection element (30) is configured to measure each coil (10, 20, 70, 80) separately.

6. An induction hob according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (40) includes a memory unit (90) in which the comparison results received from the comparator circuit (50) are recorded during a cooking mode.

7. An induction hob according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a user panel (2) is connected for signal transmission to the controller (40) and configured to select any operating mode.

8. A control method for an induction hob according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of activating the first and / or at least one second induction coil (10, 20) during a cooking mode, detecting the temperatures of the activated coils using a temperature detection element (30), comparing the detected temperature information in a comparator circuit (50) and transmitting the result to the controller (40) and based on the comparison result, having the controller (40) open or close the relay (60) to which the coils (10, 20) are connected by using the temperature detection element (30).

Images