Cooking Hob Vessel Movement Detection and Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hob control systems do not efficiently manage power adjustments when a cooking vessel is moved, potentially leading to boiling over and requiring manual power adjustments, which can be inconvenient and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method that detects the movement of a cooking vessel and automatically reduces the heating power by at least 10% to 50% when it is shifted, with a countdown timer allowing the operator to change the power setting, ensuring the vessel is heated with the original power after a predetermined time or a new power setting is chosen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cooking vessel is moved to a new position on the cooktop, then the operator needs to manually re-enter the power level setting, but this creates inconvenience and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects when a cooking vessel is moved to a new position and automatically carries over the previous power level setting, eliminating the need for manual re-entry by the operator. The control unit monitors vessel position changes and autonomously restores the power level after a decision time period.
Solution Approach 2:
The system stores the previous power level setting in advance and automatically applies it when the vessel is moved. By pre-storing the power level information and having the control unit ready to restore it, the system eliminates the time loss associated with manual re-entry.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the heating power is reduced when the vessel is moved, then boiling over is prevented, but the operator needs to be informed of the power change
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides visual feedback through display elements that indicate when power level restoration is available or when a vessel has been moved. This feedback mechanism keeps the operator informed about power changes and system state without requiring additional controls or complex interfaces.
3Ease of operation
If the power level is automatically restored after decision time, then user convenience is enhanced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit autonomously manages the power level restoration process by detecting vessel movements, tracking the decision time period, and automatically restoring power levels without requiring additional hardware or complex external control systems. The existing control unit handles all logic for automatic restoration.
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 method prevents boiling over by reducing power when a vessel is moved, informs the operator of the power change, and allows for easy restoration of the original power setting, enhancing user convenience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
induction heating coils as heating elements under a cooktop plate
Implementation Method 2
Those induction heating coils that are completely or at least 50% covered by the cooktop plate are responsible for heating a placed cookware or its contents
Data Source
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AI summary
When a cooktop heating element is activated with a relatively high initial power output of at least 50% of the maximum continuous power, it is detected that a cooking vessel placed on the hob is moved by at least 4 cm. The cooking vessel is then heated with a second power output, which is reduced compared to the first, and this is signaled to the operator. Simultaneously, a timer begins counting down a predetermined decision time, e.g., 10 seconds, which is visually displayed to the operator. If, in the first scenario, the operator does not react during the decision time, the cooking vessel is heated continuously at the first power output after the decision time expires. If, in the second scenario, the operator reacts during the decision time and changes the power output to a third power output, the cooking vessel is heated continuously at this third power output.The operator can also permanently disable the second power output during the decision period.