Method and device for estimating temperature of contents in electric pot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric pots struggle with slow and inaccurate temperature detection of contents due to the placement of the thermosensitive element on the outer bottom part of the container, which requires indirect temperature measurement and is influenced by the thermal resistance and material of the container, leading to prolonged detection times.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a power feeding stand with a power supply coil and an electric pot with a power reception coil for non-contact electricity transfer, incorporating a temperature sensor, controller, temperature storage unit, and temperature estimation unit, which employs a temperature estimation coefficient to quickly and accurately estimate content temperature through pulse voltage application and subtraction/division circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the thermosensitive element is attached to the outer bottom part of the container to detect temperature indirectly, then the device structure is simplified, but the temperature detection precision and speed deteriorate due to thermal resistance and material limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temperature estimation coefficient as an intermediary parameter that bridges the heater temperature and content temperature. Instead of directly measuring content temperature through the container wall (which suffers from thermal resistance), the system measures heater temperature and uses the pre-calibrated coefficient to estimate content temperature, thereby eliminating the precision loss from indirect measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal measurement system (thermosensitive element contacting the container) with an electrical measurement system (temperature sensor on the heater). By measuring the electrical parameters and temperature of the heater directly and using computational estimation, the system avoids the thermal resistance issues inherent in contact-based indirect measurement through the container wall
2Device complexity
If the thermosensitive element is pressed against the container bottom to detect temperature, then the detection structure is simplified, but the detection speed deteriorates due to the time required for heat conduction through the container material
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature estimation coefficient serves as a temporal intermediary, pre-calibrated to account for the thermal response characteristics of the container. This allows the system to instantly estimate content temperature based on heater temperature without waiting for thermal equilibrium, effectively bypassing the slow heat conduction process through the container material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calibration to determine the temperature estimation coefficient before actual operation. This preliminary action captures the thermal characteristics of the specific container, allowing the system to compensate for thermal lag during operation and provide immediate temperature estimates without waiting for heat conduction to complete
3Ease of manufacture
If indirect temperature detection through the container is used, then the sensor placement is simplified, but the reliability of temperature detection deteriorates due to variations in thermal resistance and container properties
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature estimation coefficient acts as a customized intermediary that accounts for specific container properties. By calibrating the coefficient for each container type, the system compensates for variations in thermal resistance and material properties, ensuring reliable temperature detection across different container configurations while maintaining simple sensor placement on the heater
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct content temperature (which is difficult to access) to heater temperature (which is easily measurable). By transforming the problem into measuring a different parameter (heater temperature) and using the estimation coefficient to derive content temperature, the system achieves reliable detection that is independent of container property variations
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 precise and rapid estimation of content temperature in electric pots by using a temperature estimation coefficient, allowing for quick and accurate temperature determination without direct measurement of the content, and includes gyro sensor feedback for temperature adjustment and vibration notification.
Implementation Method 1
an electric pot 28 incorporating a power reception coil 14 configured to receive an electricity from the power supply coil 13 in a non-contact manner
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor 22 configured to detect the temperature of the heater 18
Data Source
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AI summary
The momentarily changing heated temperature of water and other contents stored in an electric pot is quickly and precisely estimated by using the temperature of the heater without directly measuring the temperature of the content. A device for heating a content 36 by a heater 18 incorporated in the device while receiving an electricity by a power reception coil 14 provided with an electric pot 28 from a power supply coil 13 provided with a power feeding stand 27 in a non-contact manner, the device further including: a power supply circuit 19 configured to supply the electricity to the heater 18; a temperature sensor 22 configured to detect the temperature of the heater 18; a controller 20 for controlling an energization to the heater 18; a temperature storage unit 25 for storing the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 22 via the controller 20; a temperature estimation coefficient storage unit 29 configured to store a temperature estimation coefficient Ce preliminarily and peculiarly set to the electric pot 28; and a temperature estimation unit 26 configured to estimate the temperature of the content 36 based on a data stored in the temperature storage unit 25 and the temperature estimation coefficient Ce.