Capacitive Power Supply for Cooking Utensils

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking utensils face challenges in incorporating additional functionalities like temperature displays due to the need for batteries, which increase cost, size, and require user intervention for replacement, while also being sensitive to heat.

Innovation Solution

A power supply system utilizing capacitive couplings between a cooking utensil and a hob to create a closed electrical circuit, powering electrical loads without the need for additional power sources like batteries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a battery is incorporated in the cooking utensil to provide electrical power for additional functionalities, then the cooking utensil can operate additional electrical loads, but the cost, space, and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadditional functionalitiesVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power source from the cooking utensil itself and relocates it to the hob. By using the hob's existing power supply and capacitive coupling mechanism, the cooking utensil no longer needs to contain a battery, thereby reducing its complexity while maintaining the ability to power additional functionalities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The hob is designed to serve multiple functions: it not only heats the cooking utensil but also provides electrical power through capacitive coupling. This multi-functionality allows the hob to act as both a heating device and a power supply, eliminating the need for separate batteries in the cooking utensil.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a battery is incorporated in the cooking utensil to provide electrical power, then additional functionalities can be powered, but the size of the cooking utensil increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadditional functionalitiesVSAvoidsize of cooking utensil

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery is extracted from the cooking utensil and its function is transferred to the hob. The capacitive coupling mechanism allows power transfer without physical containment of a battery in the utensil, thereby maintaining a compact size while enabling additional functionalities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a battery is used in the cooking utensil, then electrical power can be provided, but user intervention is required for battery replacement and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power provisionVSAvoiduser intervention required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service operation by using the hob's continuous power supply and capacitive coupling to automatically power the cooking utensil's additional functionalities. No user intervention for battery replacement or maintenance is needed, as the power is continuously supplied through the coupling mechanism during normal hob operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If batteries are arranged in the cooking utensil, then electrical power can be provided, but excessive heating of batteries occurs due to exposure to heat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power provisionVSAvoidexcessive heating

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery is extracted from the heat-exposed cooking utensil and its power supply function is relocated to the hob. The capacitive coupling allows electrical power transfer without placing a heat-sensitive battery in the utensil, thereby eliminating the heating hazard while maintaining power provision capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables the addition of functionalities to cooking utensils in a simple, economical, and user-friendly manner, without the drawbacks of battery-powered systems, while ensuring safe operation despite exposure to heat.

Implementation Method 1

The electrical circuit comprises a first capacitive coupling between the hob and the cooking utensil, and a second capacitive coupling between the cooking utensil and a reference which can be ground or the hob itself

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

when a power signal is emitted at the hob... an electrical current flows when a power signal is emitted at the hob

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4496431A1Power supply system for an electrical load associated with a cooking utensil

Publication Date: 2025.01.22 CS CENT STIRLING SCOOP

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AI summary

The invention relates to a power supply system for an electrical load associated with a cooking utensil (100), the power supply system comprising an electrical circuit comprising the load, which is formed when the cooking utensil (100) is placed on an electric hob (200) and which is electrically powered when a power signal is emitted in the hob (200). The electrical circuit comprises a first capacitive coupling (1.1) between the hob (200) and the cooking utensil (100), and a second capacitive coupling (1.2) between the cooking utensil (100) and a reference (1.3), the load being connected in series between both capacitive couplings (1.1, 1.2).