Induction Cooktop Preheating Control by Vessel Material Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Induction heating cooktops face challenges in determining whether a cooking container is preheated without separate input and in preheating it to an appropriate temperature, leading to potential damage from overheating.

Innovation Solution

An induction heating cooktop with a sensor to detect the temperature and load impedance of the cooking vessel, using reference values specific to the material and power setting to adjust output levels, preventing overheating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the cooking container is preheated to ensure even heat transfer to food, then the heating uniformity is improved, but the risk of overheating and damage to the cooking container increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating uniformityVSAvoidoverheating risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the temperature of the cooking container during preheating and compares it against predetermined thresholds. When the temperature exceeds the threshold, the control unit automatically reduces or stops heating power, preventing overheating and damage to the cooking container while ensuring even heat distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of the cooking container's material properties and predetermined temperature requirements before actual preheating begins. This allows the system to set appropriate temperature thresholds and heating parameters in advance, ensuring safe and effective preheating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the temperature of the cooking container is rapidly increased during preheating, then the preheating efficiency is improved, but the risk of damage to the cooking container increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreheating efficiencyVSAvoidcooking container durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating power is dynamically adjusted based on real-time temperature feedback. The system starts with higher power for efficient preheating, then automatically reduces power when temperature thresholds are approached, optimizing both preheating speed and container safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic temperature monitoring and staged heating approaches, alternating between heating phases and monitoring phases to efficiently raise temperature while preventing overheating damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If separate input is required to determine preheating state, then the control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreheating state detection accuracyVSAvoidinput requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects the cooking container material and determines preheating state without requiring separate user input. The control unit uses temperature sensors and material detection algorithms to autonomously monitor and control the preheating process, simplifying operation while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual input methods with automatic sensor-based detection and electronic control algorithms, using temperature sensors, material identification systems, and microprocessor-based control to determine preheating state without user intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Accurately determines the preheating state without additional hardware, ensuring stable cooking by adjusting output based on material and power settings, preventing overheating.

Implementation Method 1

a working coil configured to generate a magnetic field passing through the cooking vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

induction heating method is a method of generating eddy current in a heated object made of metal components by using a magnetic field generated around the coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEddy current heating: Eddy Currents

Implementation Method 3

a sensor configured to detect the temperature of the top plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 4

an inverter configured to supply current to the working coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS20250358908A1Induction heating cooktop

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

An induction heating cooktop according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a top plate on which a cooking vessel is placed; a working coil configured to generate a magnetic field passing through the cooking vessel; an inverter configured to supply current to the working coil; a sensor configured to detect the temperature of the top plate; and a controller configured to identify a material of the cooking vessel using at least one of a change in a load impedance and a change in temperature, and determine whether the cooking vessel is in a preheated state based on at least one reference value that compares the change in the load impedance and the change in temperature, which are set differently for each material of the cooking vessel.