Capacitive Boiling Over Detection Using Reference Potential Coupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating/cooking equipment struggles to accurately detect boiling over due to unreliable changes in electrostatic capacitance, leading to incorrect determinations.
Innovation Solution
The equipment includes a top plate connected to a reference potential, electrodes, a capacitance detecting unit, and a boiling over detecting unit that utilizes capacitive coupling and moisture as a dielectric to enhance the observation of electrostatic capacitance changes, allowing for accurate boiling over detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional electrostatic capacitance detection is used to detect boiling over, then the detection method is simple, but the determination accuracy of boiling over is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reference potential as an intermediary element to form a capacitive coupling detection system. By connecting the top plate to a reference potential and using electrodes arranged under the top plate, the system creates a measurable capacitive coupling path that enhances the detectability of boiling over events. This intermediary reference potential enables more reliable detection compared to conventional methods that lack this reference configuration.
2Measurement precision
If electrodes are disposed under the top plate to detect boiling over, then the detection structure is established, but the electrostatic capacitance change is insufficient for accurate observation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection area into multiple electrode regions arranged under the top plate. By segmenting the detection space and using multiple electrodes at different positions, the system can detect capacitive coupling changes more effectively. This segmentation allows for better observation of electrostatic capacitance changes as boiled-over material contacts different electrode regions, improving measurement precision.
3Reliability
If the top plate is connected to reference potential to enhance capacitive coupling, then the boiling over detection sensitivity is improved, but the system configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the top plate with the reference potential connection, combining the structural element (top plate) with the electrical reference system. This merging eliminates the need for separate reference potential structures and integrates the capacitive coupling detection directly into the existing top plate design, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing system configuration complexity.
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
This solution enables precise detection of boiling over, preventing accidents and improving the reliability of heating/cooking equipment by correctly observing changes in electrostatic capacitance.
Implementation Method 1
the capacitance detecting unit detects a change in the electrostatic capacitance of the electrode by exploiting capacitive coupling between the electrode and the reference potential which is enhanced by increase in a boiled over amount of the material to be cooked with moisture contained in the material to be cooked functioning as a dielectric
Implementation Method 2
moisture contained in the material to be cooked functioning as a dielectric when the material to be cooked boils over on the top plate connected to the reference potential
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
There is provided a heating/cooking equipment capable of accurately determining boiling over. The heating/cooking equipment includes: a top plate (104) connected to a reference potential; a heating unit (105) configured to heat an object to be heated placed on the top plate; an electrode (106) arranged under the top plate; a capacitance detecting unit (107) configured to detect the electrostatic capacitance of the electrode; a boiling over detecting unit (108) configured to detect whether or not a material to be cooked in the object to be heated has boiled over on the top plate, based on a value of the electrostatic capacitance detected by the capacitance detecting unit; and a control unit (109) configured to control the heating operation of the heating unit based on a boiling over detection result from the boiling over detecting unit. The capacitance detecting unit (107) detects a change in the electrostatic capacitance of the electrode by exploiting capacitive coupling between the electrode and the reference potential which is enhanced by increase in a boiled over amount of the material to be cooked with moisture contained in the material to be cooked functioning as a dielectric when the material to be cooked boils over on the top plate.