Induction Cooktop Matrix Switching for Energy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliance devices, particularly cooktops, face inefficiencies in energy usage and component costs due to the need for multiple switching elements to operate inductors, and lack effective cookware detection methods without additional sensors.
Innovation Solution
A household appliance device with a matrix configuration of inductors and switching elements, where inductors are arranged in a spatial matrix differing from the heating matrix, allowing for soft switching operations and cookware detection through control unit management, reducing the number of switching elements and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple switching elements are used to operate inductors in existing cooktops, then the inductors can be controlled independently, but the number of switching elements increases component costs and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling switching elements to control multiple inductors through a multiplexer architecture. Each switching element can be configured to operate different inductors based on signal routing, allowing a reduced number of switching elements to perform the function that would traditionally require many more dedicated switches per inductor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to inductor control through multiplexing. Instead of having simultaneous dedicated switching elements for each inductor, the system uses time-division multiplexing where switching elements are sequentially assigned to different inductors through control signals, effectively adding a time dimension to the control architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple switching elements are used to operate inductors, then each inductor can be independently controlled, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By making switching elements multi-functional through multiplexer control, the system reduces the total number of active switching elements required. Fewer switching elements mean lower cumulative energy consumption while maintaining the capability to independently control any inductor through proper signal routing and timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action through sequential multiplexer switching. The control unit sequentially activates different switching elements in a periodic manner, assigning them to different inductors over time. This periodic reassignment allows the same physical switching elements to serve multiple inductors, reducing the total number of switches that would need to be simultaneously active and thus reducing overall energy consumption.
3Measurement precision
If additional sensors are added for cookware detection, then detection accuracy improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the existing inductor-switching element system to perform detection functions. The control unit analyzes electrical characteristics (current, voltage, impedance) from the inductors during normal operation to infer cookware presence and properties. This eliminates the need for separate detection sensors, as the system uses its own operational parameters for both heating and detection purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the multi-functionality principle to detection by using the same inductor and switching element infrastructure for both heating and cookware detection. The control unit interprets electrical characteristic variations during switching operations as indicators of cookware presence, material, or position, allowing the heating system to simultaneously serve as the detection system without additional components.
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
The solution achieves improved energy efficiency, reduced component costs, and effective cookware detection without additional sensors, enabling efficient and flexible operation of heating zones based on cookware presence and type.
Implementation Method 1
The inductor is provided to convert electrical energy to an alternating magnetic field in order to induce eddy currents and/or magnetic reversal effects, which are converted to heat, in the cookware item.
Implementation Method 2
The inductor is provided to convert electrical energy to an alternating magnetic field in order to induce eddy currents and/or magnetic reversal effects, which are converted to heat, in the cookware item.
Implementation Method 3
The control unit is provided to switch the switching elements during an at least essentially voltage-free switching operation with a switching frequency, which is greater than a resonant frequency of the heating matrix element at position i,j.
Data Source
AI summary
A household appliance device includes an integer number N of row switching elements at a row position i, wherein i is an integer number 1≤i≤N, an integer number M of column switching elements at a column position j, wherein j is an integer number 1≤j≤M, a heating matrix including at least N×M heating matrix elements having positions (i,j), with N+M>2, wherein a heating matrix element at the position (i,j) includes at least one inductor at the position (i,j) and is connected to both the i-th row switching element and the j-th column switching element. At least one switching diode connects at least one of the row switching elements or at least one of the column switching elements to at least one reference potential.