Induction Cooker Relay Circuit Segmentation for Wiring Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing induction heating cookers face complexities in wiring multiple heating coils to relays, leading to increased costs, potential damage to lead wires, noise interference, and inefficient assembly due to the need for longer connection wires and individual component shaping.

Innovation Solution

The induction heating cooker design features a drive circuit, multiple heating coils mounted on a metallic shielding plate, and a relay circuit with relays that switch connections via connection wires, where the wiring is simplified by first connecting the heating coils to the relay circuit and then to the drive circuit, using a holder to maintain consistent wire length and protect the relay circuit from heat.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If multiple heating coils are connected to relays with traditional wiring methods, then the relay circuit can switch connections between drive circuit and heating coils, but the wiring work becomes complicated and lead wires become longer than necessary

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring workVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the housing into a first housing portion and a second housing portion, with the drive circuit mounted on the first portion and the relay circuit mounted on the second portion. This segmentation allows for separate assembly of wiring components, simplifying the wiring process and reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a connection board as an intermediary component between the drive circuit and relay circuit. The connection board provides standardized connection terminals that simplify the wiring interface, eliminating the need for complex direct wiring between heating coils and relays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If lead wires are made longer to accommodate wiring arrangements, then wiring can be completed, but noises from heating coils adversely affect the drive circuit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring completionVSAvoidnoise interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connection board serves as an intermediary that provides electrical connection while physically separating the drive circuit from the relay circuit and heating coils. This intermediary structure reduces the length of lead wires needed and minimizes noise interference from heating coils to the drive circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent arranges the drive circuit and relay circuit on different portions of the housing, utilizing spatial separation in three-dimensional space. This dimensional arrangement reduces the required lead wire length and minimizes electromagnetic interference between components.

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

3Ease of operation

If housing structure is changed to accommodate relay locations, then proper relay placement is achieved, but components need to be shaped individually which is troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelay placementVSAvoidcomponent shaping
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connection board is designed as a universal component with standardized connection terminals that can accommodate multiple relay configurations. This universal design eliminates the need to individually shape components for different relay locations, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining proper relay placement.

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

Solution Approach 2:

By separating the relay circuit mounting from the housing structure itself and placing it on a distinct connection board, the patent allows the housing to maintain a standard design while accommodating relays through the modular connection board, avoiding the need for custom-shaped housing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If heating coils are temporarily placed around housing for wiring work, then wiring can be performed, but wiring work becomes complicated and incurs increased cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring capabilityVSAvoidassembly efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection board is prepared in advance with connection terminals positioned and configured before final assembly. This preliminary preparation of the connection board allows for efficient wiring during assembly, eliminating the need for temporary coil placement and complex on-the-spot wiring operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The connection board serves as a pre-prepared intermediary component that provides all necessary connection points in their final positions. This allows wiring to be performed efficiently during assembly without requiring temporary placements or complex routing, improving productivity while maintaining wiring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design simplifies the wiring process, reduces noise, improves assembly efficiency, and allows for the use of standardized connection wire lengths across different models, while protecting the relay circuit from heat and water ingress.

Implementation Method 1

The induction heating cooker allows the heating coil to give off a high-frequency magnetic field, which generates an eddy current to the cooking utensil placed on the top plate. As a result the cooking utensil is heated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The induction heating cooker allows the heating coil to give off a high-frequency magnetic field, which generates an eddy current to the cooking utensil placed on the top plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEddy current: Eddy Currents

Implementation Method 3

multiple heating coils mounted on a metallic shielding plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentEP3267766B1Induction heating cooker
Publication Date: 2020.11.25 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3267766B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3267766B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3267766B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An induction heating cooker includes a drive circuit, multiple heating coils, and relay circuit (31). The drive circuit converts an AC power supply to high-frequency electric power. The multiple heating coils are disposed to metallic shielding plate (24), and generate a high-frequency magnetic field upon receiving the high-frequency electric power. The relay circuit includes multiple relays (32) that switch the connections, in response to a signal supplied from the drive circuit, between the drive circuit and the multiple heating coils, and is coupled to the heating coils via connection wire (27). Relay circuit (31) is mounted to holder (26) provided to shielding plate (24) on a face opposite to a face where the heating coils are provided. The structure discussed above allows a wiring work to be done firstly between relay circuit (31) and the heating coils, and then allows a wiring work to be done between relay circuit (31) and the drive circuit. As a result, noises can be reduced, and this induction heating cooker can be assembled more efficiently. On top of that, the number of components to be commonly used in other models can be increased.