Hotplate Power Routing for Flexible Heating Zone Configurations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hob devices lack flexibility in heat zone configurations and cooking utensil arrangements, leading to inefficiencies and limitations in power distribution and compatibility with different cooking surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A hob device with at least three heating units, an energy supply unit, configuration unit, and assignment unit, allowing for flexible connection of heating zones and cooking utensils through a third configuration input that can be optionally connected to multiple configuration outputs, enabling independent power distribution and robust operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed connection between configuration inputs and configuration outputs is used, then the device structure is simple, but the flexibility in heat zone configurations and cooking utensil arrangements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfigurability by making the third configuration input optionally connectable to different configuration outputs through switching elements. This allows the electrical connections to change dynamically based on operational requirements, enabling flexible heat zone configurations without permanently altering the device structure. The switching mechanism provides adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The third configuration input is designed to be universally connectable to multiple configuration outputs, allowing a single input to serve multiple functions depending on the switching state. This multi-functionality enables the same hardware component to support various heat zone configurations and cooking utensil arrangements, increasing versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Power
If multiple energy supply outputs are distributed to multiple heating units, then the total output power is high, but the electrical load and losses on individual components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables merging of multiple energy supply outputs to a single heating unit when required. By allowing configuration outputs to be combined through the switching mechanism, multiple power sources can be consolidated to deliver high power to one heating unit, reducing the number of active components and minimizing electrical losses in the distribution network.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows different distribution configurations where power can be concentrated to specific heating units based on local requirements. The third configuration input can be selectively connected to provide enhanced power to particular heating zones, optimizing power distribution quality locally while maintaining overall system efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the third configuration input is permanently connected to a configuration output, then the device structure is simple, but the number of achievable heating zone configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfigurability by making the third configuration input optionally connectable to different configuration outputs through switching elements. This allows the electrical connections to change dynamically based on operational requirements, enabling flexible heat zone configurations without permanently altering the device structure. The switching mechanism provides adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cooktop device (10a-c), in particular an induction cooktop device, with at least three heating units (12a-c), with at least one power supply unit (20a-c) which has at least three power supply outputs (22a-c) and which supplies at least one of the heating units (12a-c) with energy in at least one operating state, with at least one configuration unit (24a-c) which has at least three configuration inputs (26a-c), each of which is electrically connected to one of the power supply outputs (22a-c), and at least three configuration outputs (28a-c), wherein a first configuration input (26a1-c1) is electrically connected to a first configuration output (28a1-c1) and a second configuration input (26a2-c2) is electrically connected to a second configuration output (28a2-c2), and with at least one assignment unit (30a-c) which has at least three assignment inputs (32a-c),each of which is electrically connected to one of the configuration outputs (28a-c), and has at least three assignment outputs (34a-c), each of which can be electrically connected to one of the heating units (12a-c), and by means of which, in the operating state, the assignment outputs (34-c) can be electrically connected to the assignment inputs (32-c). In order to provide a generic device with improved flexibility, it is proposed that a third configuration input (26a3-c3) can be selectively electrically connected to at least one of the configuration outputs (28a-c) in the operating state.