Induction burner ignition system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pellet smokers and grills face issues with hot rod failure and difficulty in replacement due to its location inside the fire pot, where it is susceptible to smoke and flames, leading to reduced lifespan and uneven heating.

Innovation Solution

An induction burner ignition system is used externally to the fire pot, providing uniform temperature control and allowing for easier replacement, with heat sinks to dissipate heat effectively and improve cooking efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a hot rod is used inside the fire pot for heating pellets, then the pellets can be heated and combusted, but the hot rod becomes susceptible to failure due to exposure to smoke and flames, reducing its lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating capabilityVSAvoidhot rod lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element (induction burner) is extracted from the fire pot environment and relocated to an external position. This removes the heating element from exposure to smoke, flames, and other harmful factors inside the fire pot, thereby improving reliability and lifespan while maintaining the heating function through induction heating of the fire pot from the outside.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Temperature

If the hot rod is located inside the fire pot for direct heating, then heating function is achieved, but replacement becomes difficult due to spatial constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating functionVSAvoidreplacement difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The induction burner is extracted from the confined space inside the fire pot and positioned externally. This provides adequate access space for installation, maintenance, and replacement operations while still achieving the heating function through electromagnetic induction that can penetrate the fire pot wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical contact-based hot rod system is replaced with an electromagnetic induction heating system. This substitution eliminates the need for direct physical insertion into the fire pot, allowing external positioning that facilitates easier access for replacement and maintenance while maintaining effective heating through electromagnetic field coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Temperature

If the hot rod cycles on and off to combust pellets, then temperature control is achieved, but the cycling reduces the life of the hot rod

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidhot rod life

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The direct thermal contact hot rod system is replaced with an induction heating system that uses electromagnetic fields to heat the fire pot. This allows for more precise and gradual temperature control through electronic modulation of the induction power, reducing the need for aggressive on/off cycling and thereby extending the operational life of the heating element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If pellets are heated in a fire pot with holes using a hot rod, then combustion occurs, but the heating is uneven and temperature control is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion functionVSAvoidtemperature uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The localized point-contact hot rod heating is replaced with an induction burner that can provide more uniform distributed heating across the fire pot bottom surface. The electromagnetic induction heating creates a broader heating zone that promotes more even temperature distribution, improving combustion consistency and temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The induction burner system offers more durable and efficient heating with reduced temperature spikes, enabling more even cooking and longer component lifespan by avoiding the harsh environment of the fire pot, while allowing for precise heat control and distribution.

Implementation Method 1

an induction burner that causes at least the bottom surface of the fire pot to heat via induction heating, to thereby heat the pellets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11224310B2Induction burner ignition system

Publication Date: 2022.01.18 DANSONS US LLC

AI summary

Disclosed is an induction burner ignition system that implements an induction burner located external to the fire pot. The induction burner can be controlled by a controller to start and stop according to a predetermined heating algorithm, and can further provide heat via heat sinks in contact with the induction burner. Because the induction burner is located external to the fire pot, it is easily repairable or replaceable and avoids the harmful atmosphere of the fire pot. The induction burner also provides more uniform heating than conventional hot rod technology to improve the pellet heating process.