Induction Cooker Coil Detection Using Current Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional induction heating cookers face errors in recognizing the presence of a container due to partial occupation of heating coils, leading to inaccurate determination of whether a container is placed on the coils or not, especially when the container is positioned off-center or occupies only a portion of the coils.
Innovation Solution
The induction heating cooker employs a system with multiple heating coils below the cooking plate, current detectors to measure current values, and a controller that analyzes these values and their changes over time to determine if a container is placed on the coils, using patterns and average values to accurately distinguish between occupied and unoccupied coils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of heating coils is disposed below the cooking plate to enable cooking regardless of container position, then cooking versatility is improved, but container recognition accuracy deteriorates due to partial occupation of heating coils
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking plate area is divided into multiple heating coil zones, with each heating coil independently detectable. This segmentation allows the system to identify which specific heating coil(s) have a container placed on them, even when the container only partially occupies one coil or spans multiple coils. The controller analyzes current values from individual heating coils to determine container presence and position accurately.
2Adaptability or versatility
If heating coils are densely arranged to cover the entire cooking plate surface, then cooking adaptability is improved, but the ability to distinguish between occupied and unoccupied coils deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where current detectors continuously monitor the current values of each heating coil, and the controller analyzes these values to determine container presence. By comparing current values against threshold criteria and evaluating change amounts, the system reliably distinguishes between occupied and unoccupied heating coils even in densely arranged configurations. This feedback loop ensures accurate detection despite the high density of coils.
3Device complexity
If the system uses simple current value detection to determine container presence, then device complexity is reduced, but detection accuracy deteriorates when containers partially occupy heating coils
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection by measuring current values during the on-time of inverter switching elements before making a final container presence determination. This preliminary action allows the controller to gather sufficient data about current flow patterns and changes, which are then analyzed using specific criteria (current value thresholds and change amount patterns) to accurately determine whether a container is present, even in partial occupation scenarios.
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 solution prevents recognition errors and ensures accurate detection of container placement on the heating coils, allowing for effective cooking regardless of the container's position on the cooking plate by distinguishing between occupied and unoccupied coils based on current patterns and values.
Implementation Method 1
supplies high-frequency current to a heating coil to generate a strong high-frequency magnetic field and generates eddy current in a cooking container (hereinafter, referred to as a container) magnetically coupled to the heating coil using the magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
heats the container using Joule heat generated by the eddy current
Data Source
AI summary
An induction heating cooker and a control method thereof that prevents the occurrence of an error caused during recognition of a container in the induction heating cooker that performs cooking regardless of where the container is placed on a cooking plate includes a plurality of heating coils disposed below a cooking plate, current detectors to detect values of current flowing in the respective heating coils, and a controller to determine whether a container is placed on the respective heating coils based on the detected current values of the heating coils and change amounts of the current values.