Discharge Unit for Linear Energy Storage Management in Induction Cooking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Induction cooking appliances experience voltage jumps and acoustic noise during charging, leading to reduced switching functionality and ease of use due to inadequate discharge of energy storage units, especially in pulsed operation.
Innovation Solution
A discharge unit is introduced to achieve a substantially linear discharge of the energy storage unit, connected in series with the main switching unit and an adaptation unit to influence discharge parameters, ensuring efficient energy distribution and noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the energy storage unit is charged continuously to maintain power supply, then the power supply stability is improved, but voltage jumps and acoustic noise are generated during charging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic discharge cycles of the energy storage unit (bus capacitor) during pulsed operation. The discharge unit is activated at specific intervals to discharge the capacitor, creating a periodic action pattern that prevents voltage jumps and reduces acoustic noise while maintaining power supply stability throughout the cooking cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge unit is activated before the next charging cycle begins to pre-discharge the energy storage unit. This preliminary action ensures that when the next charging pulse occurs, there is no residual voltage to cause voltage jumps, and the charging current is reduced to minimize acoustic noise generation.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the energy storage unit is discharged completely to eliminate voltage jumps, then noise generation is reduced, but switching functionality is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the discharge parameter from complete discharge to partial discharge, discharging the energy storage unit only to a predetermined voltage level rather than fully depleting it. This parameter adjustment maintains sufficient charge for switching functionality while reducing the charging current to acceptable noise levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors the voltage level of the energy storage unit and activates the discharge unit when the voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold. This feedback mechanism ensures that discharge occurs at the optimal moment to reduce noise while preserving enough charge for subsequent switching operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If pulsed operation is implemented to improve cooking control, then cooking precision is enhanced, but noise generation increases due to repeated charging
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge unit operates continuously during pulsed cooking cycles to maintain the energy storage unit at an optimal charge level. This continuous discharge action ensures that each pulsed heating cycle occurs with minimal residual voltage, thereby reducing acoustic noise while preserving the precision benefits of pulsed operation.
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 improves switching functionality, reduces noise generation, and enhances user experience by ensuring uniform discharge of the energy storage unit, thereby increasing the ease of use and potentially reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an energy storage unit, particularly a bus capacitor, which is designed, in particular, for signal smoothing by charging the energy storage unit with a charging potential
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a domestic appliance device, in particular a cooking appliance device, comprising at least one discharge unit (10) provided for at least partially discharging at least one energy storage unit (12) in at least one discharging operating mode. In order to create a generic device that has improved properties in respect of a functionality, the discharge unit (10) is provided for discharging the energy storage unit (12) at least substantially linearly in the discharging operating mode.