DC Cooking Appliance Using High-Voltage Batteries Without Inverters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric cooking appliances rely on alternating current (AC) for heating, which is inefficient in situations where AC is not the primary power source, such as in marine vessels, requiring inverters to convert DC to AC, and are not suitable for DC-powered systems.
Innovation Solution
A DC-powered cooking appliance that uses a controller and DC-powered heating elements, excluding AC and combustion heating, to operate directly from a DC electrical potential, suitable for marine vessels and off-grid locations, using high voltage DC batteries and optionally a PWM controller to manage power output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If AC powered heating elements are used in cooking appliances, then the heating power and wattage are sufficient for cooking, but the appliance cannot operate directly from DC power sources without an inverter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameter from AC to DC, designing heating elements and controllers that natively operate on DC power. This eliminates the need for AC-to-DC conversion hardware (inverters) while maintaining cooking functionality, directly resolving the contradiction between power source adaptability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the inverter component from the system by designing the entire cooking appliance to operate natively on DC power. This eliminates the unnecessary AC-to-DC conversion stage, simplifying the device while expanding compatibility with DC power sources like marine vessels and RVs
2Device complexity
If DC powered heating elements are used to operate from DC power sources, then the inverter is eliminated, but the heating power and wattage are insufficient for acceptable cooking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the DC heating element with a DC-DC power conversion system that draws from the vehicle's high-voltage battery. This combination delivers sufficient heating wattage for cooking while maintaining DC-only operation, resolving the contradiction between simplifying device complexity and maintaining adequate heating power
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system that can operate from various DC power sources (vehicle batteries, shore power DC inputs) and delivers full cooking power. The heating element is designed to function effectively across different DC voltage sources, achieving both inverter elimination and sufficient heating wattage
3Power
If high amperage DC is used to achieve acceptable heating power, then the heating wattage is sufficient, but the current draw becomes too high for practical DC power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameter from high current/low voltage to low current/high voltage operation. By utilizing the vehicle's existing high-voltage battery system (48V or higher), the appliance achieves sufficient heating wattage with reduced current draw, resolving the contradiction between adequate heating power and practical energy consumption
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
Enables efficient cooking without the need for inverters or DC to AC conversion, using high voltage DC batteries, reducing power consumption and heat generation, and maintaining temperature effectively in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
Activation of the DC powered heating element by the controller is configured to heat a cooking surface
Implementation Method 2
the heating element is an induction DC powered heating element
Data Source
AI summary
A DC powered cooking appliance which uses an induction or a resistance based DC heating element and excludes AC powered heating elements and preferably does not rely on directly connected combustion powered heating elements. Some embodiments include wattage of 1500 watts or less, voltages of 40 or 48 volts or more and are installed on a boat, van, rv or bus such that an inverter of that boat, van, rv or bus is not electrically connected to the cooking appliance.