Induction Cooker Coil Switching for Uniform Liquid Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional induction cookers fail to promote convection in liquid cooking targets, leading to nonuniform temperature and scorching issues.

Innovation Solution

The induction cooker selectively supplies electric power to at least one of the adjacent heating coils and alternates the power distribution over time to promote convection in the liquid cooking target, ensuring uniform heating and reducing temperature nonuniformity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If all heating coils are supplied with electric power simultaneously, then heating efficiency is improved, but temperature nonuniformity and scorching occur in the cooking target

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs periodic action by alternately supplying electric power to different heating coils in sequence rather than simultaneously. The heating coils are activated in alternating patterns (e.g., first and third coils, then second and fourth coils) to create periodic heating cycles that promote convection and distribute heat more uniformly throughout the cooking target.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies dynamics by dynamically adjusting which heating coils are active at any given time. The control unit changes the activation state of heating coils based on predetermined patterns, creating a dynamic heating system that adapts to promote fluid circulation and uniform temperature distribution while maintaining high heating efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Temperature

If heating coils are activated to promote convection, then temperature uniformity is improved, but heating time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidheating time
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By using periodic activation patterns of heating coils, the system efficiently promotes convection without requiring prolonged heating times. The alternating activation of different coil sets creates sufficient fluid circulation to distribute heat uniformly while maintaining a relatively short overall heating duration through optimized power distribution cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 approach effectively reduces temperature nonuniformity and scorching by enhancing convection in the cooking target, improving flavor distribution and user-friendliness across varying pot sizes.

Implementation Method 1

a heating coil unit configured to inductively heat the heating target placed on the top plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The induction cooker includes a body having a top plate on which a heating target is placed and a heating coil unit configured to inductively heat the heating target

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3768043B1Induction heating cooker
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3768043B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3768043B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3768043B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An induction cooker according to the present invention includes: a plurality of heating coils aligned in one row on a same plane; and a controller. The controller is configured to, when a heating target is placed over adjacent two or more of the plurality of heating coils, supply electric power to at least one, but not all, of the two or more adjacent ones of the plurality of heating coils and change, over time, the heating coils to which the power is supplied.