Induction Cooker Grid Coils and Temperature Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional induction heating cookers lack flexibility in positioning the non-contact power receiving device, limiting user convenience as the device can only be mounted at a predefined location.

Innovation Solution

The induction heating cooker features a top plate with coils arranged in a grid pattern underneath, allowing the heating target or non-contact power receiving device to be mounted at any position, along with a temperature detector and guide unit that indicates a safe, cooler region for device placement, ensuring power supply and induction heating can be performed efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single predefined location is designated for mounting the non-contact power receiving device, then the device structure is simplified, but user convenience and placement flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplacement flexibilityVSAvoidcoil arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The top plate is divided into multiple independent coil units arranged in a grid pattern, allowing each unit to operate independently. This segmentation enables flexible placement of heating targets or power receiving devices at any position on the top plate, resolving the contradiction between placement flexibility and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple coil units are designed to perform both induction heating of cooking vessels and wireless power transfer to power receiving devices. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware infrastructure to serve multiple purposes, improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the non-contact power receiving device is mounted on a high-temperature region, then power transfer efficiency may be improved, but device safety and reliability are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice safetyVSAvoidtop plate temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A temperature detection unit continuously monitors the temperature of the top plate and provides feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit dynamically adjusts the operation of coil units to maintain temperature within safe limits, ensuring device safety while managing thermal conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts which coil units are active based on real-time temperature conditions and the position of the power receiving device. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize power transfer while preventing overheating, resolving the contradiction between temperature and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 configuration enhances user convenience by allowing arbitrary placement of heating targets and non-contact power receiving devices on the induction heating cooker, improving safety and reducing the risk of overheating, thus providing a more versatile and user-friendly cooking experience.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of coils that are disposed so that at least one coil exists directly under the heating target or the non-contact power receiving device under the top plate when the heating target or the non-contact power receiving device is mounted on an arbitrary position on the top plate, and induction-heats the heating target mounted on the top plate, or supply power to the non-contact power receiving device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a temperature detector that detects a temperature of the top plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature detection: Thermocouple

Data Source

PatentEP3344009B1Induction heating cooker
Publication Date: 2022.06.29 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3344009B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3344009B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3344009B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

Induction heating cooker (2) includes top plate (8) on which heating target (4) or non-contact power receiving device (11) is mounted; and a plurality of coils (10) that are disposed so that at least one coil exists directly under heating target (4) or non-contact power receiving device (11) when heating target (4) or non-contact power receiving device (11) is mounted on an arbitrary position on top plate (8), and induction-heats heating target (4), or supply power to non-contact power receiving device (11). Induction heating cooker (2) includes temperature detector (14) that detects a temperature of top plate (8); and a guide unit that shows a region of which a temperature detected by temperature detector (14) is a predetermined temperature or less to a user as a mountable region of non-contact power receiving device (11). Therefore, induction heating cooker (2) in which convenience is improved is provided.