Glass Cooktop Food Detection and Localized Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooking appliances with glass cooktops face increased energy consumption and cooking time due to the mass and heat radiation of cooking utensils, especially when cooking small amounts of food, which also reduces flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A cooking appliance with a glass cooktop that allows food to be cooked without a utensil, using a control unit with detection means to directly locate food on the cooktop and determine the necessary resistance heaters for heating, thereby eliminating the need for unnecessary heating elements and improving energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cooking utensil is used on the glass cooktop, then the user can cook food, but the energy consumption and cooking time increase due to the mass and heat radiation of the utensil
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cooking function from the traditional cooking utensil (pan/pot) and transfers it directly to the glass cooktop surface. By detecting the food's location and activating only the resistance heaters directly beneath the food, the system eliminates the intermediary utensil that causes energy loss through heat radiation and mass heating, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining cooking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The glass cooktop performs the heating function that was previously performed by the cooking utensil. The detection means identifies food placement, and the control unit activates the appropriate resistance heaters to cook the food directly on the cooktop surface, making the cooktop itself serve the dual purpose of both heating element and cooking surface
2Ease of operation
If a cooking utensil is used to cook a small amount of food, then the food can be cooked, but the cooking time increases due to the utensil's mass storing and radiating heat
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the thermal mass of the cooking utensil from the heating pathway. By detecting the food's precise location and activating only the resistance heaters directly beneath it, the system eliminates the intermediate step of heating the utensil first, then transferring heat to the food, thereby significantly reducing cooking time especially for small portions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies heating locally only where food is detected on the cooktop surface. The control unit activates specific resistance heaters corresponding to the detected food location, concentrating thermal energy exactly where needed rather than heating a large area through a utensil, which improves heating efficiency and reduces cooking time
3Ease of operation
If multiple resistance heaters are activated under a large cooking utensil, then the food can be cooked, but energy is wasted heating areas not occupied by food
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements localized heating by detecting the precise position and shape of the food on the cooktop. The control unit then activates only the resistance heaters that correspond to the area occupied by the food, avoiding activation of heaters in empty spaces. This selective heating approach eliminates energy waste while maintaining effective cooking of the food
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses detection means to continuously monitor the cooktop surface for food presence and location. Based on this feedback information, the control unit dynamically adjusts which resistance heaters are activated, ensuring that heating is applied only where food is present and adjusting the heating pattern as the food moves or changes shape during cooking
4Ease of operation
If a cooking utensil is used, then the user can cook food, but the flexibility of the cooking appliance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The glass cooktop performs the heating function that was previously performed by the cooking utensil. The detection means identifies food placement, and the control unit activates the appropriate resistance heaters to cook the food directly on the cooktop surface, making the cooktop itself serve the dual purpose of both heating element and cooking surface
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the glass cooktop surface multi-functional by combining the detection capability, heating element activation, and cooking surface functions into a single integrated system. The cooktop can adapt to different food placements and shapes without requiring different utensils, providing universal cooking capability that enhances flexibility
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 increases flexibility and energy efficiency by allowing food to be cooked more quickly and using less energy, as the appliance can turn off heaters not directly under the food, reducing energy consumption and cooking time.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of resistance heaters which are arranged in rows R and columns C below the glass cooktop (2) and adapted to cook the food (3)
Implementation Method 2
the first detecting means is disposed above the glass cooktop and acoustically detects the location of the food which is randomly placed on the glass cooktop
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cooking appliance (1) which has a glass cooktop (2).