Cooktop Switching Arrangement for Flexible Induction Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing induction cooktops lack flexibility in cookware configuration and heating power distribution, leading to inefficiencies and reduced user convenience, as well as increased wear and maintenance costs due to limited multiplexing operations and heating zone capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A cooktop apparatus with multiple heating frequency units and a switching arrangement that allows for flexible allocation of heating units to different inverters, enabling simultaneous operation of multiple heating zones with independent power settings, and the ability to distribute load uniformly across inverters, thereby increasing flexibility and reducing the need for additional inverters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of heating zones is increased to provide more flexibility for cookware configurations, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases due to requiring more inverters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a switching arrangement that allows each inverter to serve multiple heating units dynamically. The third heating units can be allocated to either the first or second heating frequency unit, enabling a single inverter to perform multiple functions and support more heating zones than the number of physical inverters
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic allocation of heating units to heating frequency units through the switching arrangement. The allocation can be changed during operation, allowing the same hardware configuration to adapt to different cooking scenarios and cookware arrangements, effectively increasing the number of usable heating zones without adding more inverters
2Productivity
If additional inverters are added to increase the number of independently operated heating zones, then the productivity improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each inverter is designed to be capable of driving multiple heating units through the switching arrangement. The third heating units can be dynamically assigned to different heating frequency units, allowing the existing inverters to handle a greater total number of heating zones without requiring proportional increases in inverter quantity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the control of multiple heating units under a unified switching arrangement that manages allocation between heating frequency units. This merging of control functions allows the system to coordinate multiple heating zones using fewer inverters than would traditionally be required
3Adaptability or versatility
If the switching arrangement dynamically allocates heating units to different heating frequency units, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching arrangement is segmented into distinct switching elements that can independently control the allocation of heating units. This segmentation allows the complex allocation task to be broken down into manageable switching operations, where each switching element handles specific allocation decisions based on control signals
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 enhances user convenience by allowing for a wide range of cookware configurations, reduces wear and maintenance costs, and improves heating efficiency by enabling more flexible and efficient power distribution, while also increasing the number of heating zones that can be operated independently.
Implementation Method 1
induction cooktop apparatus
Implementation Method 2
heating units that are designed in each case as induction heating units
Data Source
AI summary
A cooktop apparatus includes a first heating frequency unit, a second heating frequency unit, a set of first heating units, a set of second heating units, a set of third heating units, and a switching arrangement configured to electrically allocate the set of first heating units to the first heating frequency unit, to electrically allocate the set of second heating units to the second heating frequency unit, and to electrically allocate the set of third heating units to at least one of the first and second heating frequency units.