Dynamic Cooking Hob Zone Assignment via Shared Heating Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hob devices lack flexibility and comfort in accommodating various cooking utensils, particularly those with larger diameters or irregular shapes, as they often require fixed heating zones and additional heating elements that increase complexity and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A hob device with at least two variable cooking surface areas defined by multiple heating elements, an additional heating element positioned between them, and a control unit that dynamically assigns the additional heating element to either surface area based on operating parameters, allowing for flexible configuration and efficient energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed heating zones are used, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to different cooking utensils is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The heating zones are made dynamically configurable through software control rather than fixed physically. The control unit can define different heating zones by selecting and activating specific heating elements from the available array, allowing the cooking surface to adapt to various utensil sizes and positions without physical reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element array serves multiple functions by being able to form different heating zone configurations. The same physical heating elements can be grouped differently to create various heating patterns, making the device universally applicable to different cooking needs without requiring separate dedicated zones
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional heating elements are added to accommodate larger utensils, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking surface is segmented into multiple individual heating elements arranged in rows, allowing selective activation of only the elements needed for the current cooking task. This segmentation enables the system to accommodate larger utensils by activating more elements without requiring all elements to be permanently configured as fixed zones
Solution Approach 2:
The system activates only the necessary subset of heating elements required for the current cooking vessel size and position, rather than activating entire fixed zones. This partial action approach provides the flexibility to accommodate larger utensils by activating additional elements when needed, while avoiding the energy waste and complexity of permanently configuring all possible zone combinations
3Power
If more heating elements are installed, then the heating capacity increases, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit activates only the specific heating elements needed for the current cooking task based on the size and position of the cooking vessel. This allows the system to provide high heating capacity when large utensils are used by activating more elements, while consuming less energy when smaller utensils are used by activating fewer elements, thus avoiding continuous high energy consumption
4Adaptability or versatility
If variable cooking surface areas are implemented, then the flexibility improves, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking surface configuration is made dynamic through software-based zone definition rather than fixed physical boundaries. The control unit can dynamically assign heating elements to different cooking zones based on real-time detection of cooking vessel position and size, providing flexibility without complex mechanical or physical reconfiguration systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses detection means to sense the position and characteristics of cooking vessels on the surface, then uses this feedback information to automatically configure the appropriate heating zones and activate the necessary heating elements. This feedback loop simplifies the control system by using automated detection and response rather than requiring complex manual control mechanisms
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 operator comfort and flexibility by allowing for the efficient heating of larger or irregularly shaped utensils without significantly increasing the number of heating elements, while ensuring even heat distribution and energy savings.
Implementation Method 1
the induction heating element is designed to convert electrical energy into an alternating magnetic field, which is intended to induce eddy currents and/or remagnetization effects in a metallic, preferably at least partially ferromagnetic, cooking vessel, which are then converted into heat
Implementation Method 2
the induction heating element is designed to convert electrical energy into an alternating magnetic field, which is intended to induce eddy currents and/or remagnetization effects in a metallic, preferably at least partially ferromagnetic, cooking vessel, which are then converted into heat
Implementation Method 3
In particular, the heating element is designed as an induction heating element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The problem addressed by the invention is that of providing a generic device having improved characteristics with regard to a high level of convenience for an operator and/or substantial flexibility. This problem is solved by providing a cooking hob device (10), in particular an induction cooking hob device, having at least two variable cooking surface areas (12, 14) which are each fixed by an arrangement of at least two heating elements (16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30), and having at least one further heating element (32) which is disposed between the variable cooking surface areas (12, 14), and having at least one control unit (34) which is provided in order to assign the further heating element (32) as a function of at least one operating parameter to at least one of the variable cooking surface areas (12, 14) and to output at least one assignment of the further heating element (32) to at least one of the variable cooking surface area (12, 14) by means of at least one output unit (36).