Heater device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heater devices equipped with detection patterns for detecting changes in capacitance due to objects approaching a heat generating portion cannot effectively detect and determine disconnections in these detection patterns.
Innovation Solution
The heater device incorporates two detection patterns with transmitting and receiving electrodes on an insulating substrate, along with a capacitance determination unit and a disconnection determination unit. The unit determines disconnection by comparing changes in capacitance between the electrodes to predefined threshold values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single detection pattern is used to detect objects, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of detecting disconnections is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is divided into multiple independent detection patterns (first detection pattern and second detection pattern), each capable of independently detecting disconnections. This segmentation allows the system to monitor different regions or aspects of the heating device, improving overall reliability without requiring a single complex detection system.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple detection patterns are combined into a single integrated detection system that shares common control logic and processing units. The control unit evaluates results from both detection patterns to determine disconnections, merging their functions while maintaining individual pattern independence for fault detection.
2Reliability
If multiple detection patterns are implemented, then the reliability of disconnection detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the controller for heating elements and as the evaluation unit for detecting disconnections in detection patterns. This universal component performs multiple functions without requiring separate dedicated hardware, thereby improving reliability through multiple detection patterns while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If capacitance threshold comparison is used for disconnection detection, then the measurement precision is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects disconnections by monitoring changes in capacitance values and comparing them against predetermined threshold values. This parameter-based detection method transforms the physical state of connection into a measurable electrical parameter (capacitance), enabling precise detection of disconnections through quantitative comparison rather than qualitative assessment.
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 configuration enables the heater device to accurately detect and determine disconnections in the detection patterns, ensuring reliable operation and safety by preventing unauthorized changes in energization.
Implementation Method 1
a first detection pattern arranged on the insulating substrate, having a first transmitting electrode and a first receiving electrode for detecting an object, the first detection pattern being configured to detect a change in capacitance between the first transmitting electrode and the first receiving electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A heater device includes a first detection pattern that is arranged on an insulating substrate and detects a change in capacitance between a first transmitting electrode and a first receiving electrode for detecting an object, a second detection pattern that is arranged on the insulating substrate and detects the change in capacitance between a second transmitting electrode and a second receiving electrode for detecting the object, a capacitance determination unit that determines whether one of the change in capacitance between the first transmitting electrode and the first receiving electrode and the change in capacitance between the second transmitting electrode and the second receiving electrode is equal to or higher than a first threshold value and the other is lower than a second threshold value, and a disconnection determination unit that determines a disconnection in the first or the second detection pattern, when result of the capacitance determination unit is positive.