Induction Cooker Multi-Zone Display for Burner Status Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Induction heating cookers are difficult for users to recognize whether the burners are in use due to the absence of visible flames or hot wires, and they lack intuitive displays for cooking information, making it hard to manage cooking processes effectively.

Innovation Solution

An induction heating cooker design with separate displays positioned away from the handling portion, providing detailed cooking information such as output level, operating time, and temperature, and featuring a controller that adjusts display colors and shapes to indicate burner status, including communication with sensors for additional data like food or container temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If induction heating is used to achieve high heat transfer efficiency and output power, then heating efficiency is improved, but visibility of burner operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidvisibility of burner operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color-changing display elements (LEDs or liquid crystal elements) that change color or illuminate to indicate burner operation status. These visual indicators are positioned on the cooking surface to show which burners are active, resolving the visibility issue while maintaining the high efficiency of induction heating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Ease of operation

If the display is positioned close to the burner for easy viewing, then ease of operation is improved, but exposure to heat and electromagnetic interference worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of viewing displayVSAvoidheat exposure and electromagnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions displays in multiple spatial dimensions - some on the handling portion and others on the cooking surface at different locations. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows users to view information from various angles and distances, providing easy access to display information while keeping the displays away from the harmful heat and electromagnetic fields of the burners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of information

If comprehensive cooking information is displayed to improve cooking process management, then loss of information is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking information availabilityVSAvoiddisplay system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the display system into multiple independent display elements positioned at different locations (handling portion and cooking surface). Each display element shows specific cooking information, segmenting the overall information presentation. This segmentation reduces the complexity of any single display unit while collectively providing comprehensive cooking information across the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables users to easily recognize burner operation and access various cooking information, enhancing usability and safety by providing intuitive and aesthetically improved display functionality.

Implementation Method 1

the induction heating appliance uses an eddy current to directly heat a container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEddy current: Eddy Currents

Implementation Method 2

the induction heating appliance uses an eddy current to directly heat a container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3698605B1Induction heating cooker and method of controlling display thereof
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3698605B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3698605B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3698605B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed is an induction heating cooker comprising: at least one burner comprising a coil; a handling portion provided in a predetermined area separated from the burner, and comprising an input section for receiving a user's control and a first display for displaying information corresponding to the user's control; at least one second display provided in an area separated from the handling portion; and a controller configured to control the second display to display cooking information about the burner.