Cooking Device Control Circuit with Segmented Signal Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking devices with separate induction coils for each cooking zone have inefficiencies and high costs due to limited flexibility in cooking area usage and increased wear on electronic components, as they require separate power supply and control for each zone.

Innovation Solution

A cooking device circuit with a matrix arrangement of heating units, divided into subgroups powered by separate signal processing units operating on different current phases, allowing for efficient and flexible power distribution across a continuous cooking area, reducing electronic stress and enhancing cooking performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate power supply and control is used for each cooking zone, then cooking zone control flexibility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking zone control flexibilityVSAvoidelectronic component complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the group of induction coils into multiple subgroups, where each subgroup can be independently controlled by separate control circuits. This segmentation allows different cooking zones to be controlled independently while sharing common power supply infrastructure, thus maintaining cooking zone flexibility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal power supply system that serves multiple cooking zones through shared rectifier and filter circuits. The control unit can dynamically allocate power to different subgroups of induction coils based on cooking requirements, making the power supply system multi-functional rather than dedicated to each zone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate power supply for each cooking zone is implemented, then cooking zone independence is improved, but loss of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking zone independenceVSAvoidpower supply energy loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the power supply functions for multiple cooking zones into a single shared system. The rectifier converts AC power to DC once, and the filter smooths the DC voltage once, serving all induction coil subgroups. This eliminates redundant power conversion and conditioning stages that would otherwise occur in separate power supply systems, significantly reducing energy loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple signal processing units are used to distribute load, then electronic component stress is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectronic component durabilityVSAvoidsignal processing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the induction coil group into multiple subgroups, each controlled by dedicated control circuits. This distribution of control responsibilities prevents any single signal processing unit from handling excessive load, reducing electronic component stress and improving reliability while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 high power output with reduced electronic stress, increased flexibility in cooking area usage, and cost-effectiveness by distributing load across multiple signal processing units, achieving efficient and flexible cooking operations.

Implementation Method 1

a heating output is generated by induction coils by means of switching operations of inverters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the electrical signal to power the inverters is a rectified current signal from the utility power supply

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectification: Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2007174B2Cooking device control and method for heating an object
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 BOSCH SIEMENS HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2007174B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2007174B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2007174B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a cooking device circuit with a group of heating units (22), a control unit (30) designed to form a heating group of heating units (22) adapted to a selected position of a cooking vessel (18, 20), and a signal processing device (32) designed to process a signal (42.1, 42.2) into a form adapted for heating unit power operation. To optimize cooking operation cost-effectively, it is proposed that the signal processing device (32) comprises a first signal processing unit (36.1) for supplying a first subgroup of heating units (22) and at least one second signal processing unit (36.2) for supplying a second subgroup of heating units (22).