Cooktop Heating Element Power Density Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional induction hobs with multiple heating devices face challenges in maintaining optimal heating power when a cooking vessel is moved, particularly in preventing overheating or underheating scenarios, as existing power adjustment methods do not effectively account for changes in heating device coverage and cooking vessel position.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines and adjusts the surface power density of heating devices based on the cooking vessel's position, maintaining low power in low-coverage areas and reducing power in high-coverage areas to prevent overheating, by setting a predetermined minimum displacement threshold and offering operators the option to confirm or reject power adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cooking vessel is moved to a new position on the cooktop, then the operator convenience is improved by carrying over the previous power level, but the heating precision deteriorates because the power density does not account for the new position's coverage of heating elements
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the position of the cooking vessel on the cooktop surface and automatically adjusts the power density of the heating element based on the vessel's location. This feedback mechanism ensures that the power density is optimized for each position, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and heating precision by eliminating manual intervention while maintaining accurate heating control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the power density in real-time based on the cooking vessel's position rather than using a fixed power level. This dynamic adaptation allows the heating system to respond to positional changes, maintaining heating precision while improving operator convenience through automatic adjustment.
2Speed
If the power density is increased to heat the cooking vessel rapidly, then the heating speed is improved, but the risk of overheating increases when the vessel is in positions with high heating element coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the power density parameter dynamically based on the cooking vessel's position on the cooktop. When the vessel is in positions with high heating element coverage, the power density is automatically reduced to prevent overheating, while still allowing rapid heating in positions with lower coverage. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between heating speed and overheating risk.
3Reliability
If the power density is reduced to prevent overheating in high-coverage areas, then the safety is improved, but the heating efficiency deteriorates because insufficient power is delivered when high power is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The power density parameter is dynamically adjusted based on the cooking vessel's position, increasing power delivery in positions that require high heating efficiency while reducing power in positions prone to overheating. This position-dependent parameter optimization simultaneously improves safety and maintains heating efficiency by adapting the power delivery to the specific operational context.
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
Ensures consistent and safe heating performance by maintaining low power in low-coverage areas and reducing power in high-coverage areas, preventing overheating and underheating, while allowing operators to adjust power settings as needed to maintain cooking efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
induction heating coils as heating elements under a cooktop plate
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
When a cooktop (11) with a cooktop plate (12) and several heating elements (15) underneath it, which are adjacent to one another and cover the substantial area under the cooktop plate, is operated, a cooking vessel (21) is placed on the cooktop plate in a first position, covering at least one heating element (15). This heating element (15) then operates with a specific, predetermined initial power density to heat the cooking vessel (21). If the cooking vessel (21) is moved on the cooktop plate (12) by at least a specific minimum displacement to a second position, a future power density for heating the cooking vessel (21) in the second position is determined, depending on the initial power density for one heating element (15). This future power density can be equal to or lower than the initial power density, especially if it was very high.