Induction Cooker Sensor Holder for Accurate Vessel Temperature

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Induction heating cookers lack accurate temperature control of cooking vessels, leading to uncontrollable temperature changes that can result in overcooking or undercooking, and existing measurement methods face challenges such as sensor sensitivity loss due to dirt accumulation and indirect heat transfer, causing safety hazards and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A sensor system comprising a monolithic holder with integrated infrared and temperature sensors positioned close to the cooking vessel, separated from the cooker glass to minimize environmental radiation and electromagnetic interference, ensuring accurate temperature measurement and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an infrared sensor is positioned close to the cooking vessel for accurate temperature measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but the sensor is affected by electromagnetic interference and environmental radiation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference and environmental radiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system is segmented into separate functional components: an infrared sensor for temperature detection, a temperature sensor for glass surface measurement, and a holder structure for positioning. This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimally positioned and protected, with the holder providing physical separation from electromagnetic interference sources while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A holder structure acts as an intermediary between the sensors and the cooking environment. This holder positions the infrared sensor at an optimal distance from the cooking vessel, reducing direct exposure to electromagnetic interference while maintaining sufficient proximity for accurate infrared temperature measurement. The holder serves as a mediating structure that balances measurement precision with interference reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Extent of automation

If a sensor is placed on the cooker glass to measure temperature, then temperature control is enabled, but measurement sensitivity is reduced due to dirt accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic temperature controlVSAvoidsensor sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The infrared sensor is extracted from direct contact with the cooker glass surface and positioned in a holder structure above the glass. This extraction removes the sensor from the contamination-prone environment where dirt accumulation would reduce sensitivity, while still enabling automatic temperature control through non-contact infrared measurement of the cooking vessel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces contact-based temperature measurement (which requires physical sensors on the glass surface) with non-contact infrared temperature measurement. This substitution eliminates the mechanical contact that leads to dirt accumulation and sensitivity loss, while maintaining the capability for automatic temperature control through optical/infrared detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Extent of automation

If the sensor measures temperature through the cooker glass, then temperature control is achieved, but the glass heat transfer causes misleading measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control capabilityVSAvoidtemperature measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces thermal conduction-based temperature measurement (through the glass) with non-contact infrared radiation-based measurement. This substitution eliminates the heat transfer through the glass that causes misleading readings, as the infrared sensor directly measures the temperature of the cooking vessel without being influenced by the glass's thermal properties or indirect heat transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The holder structure serves as an intermediary that positions the infrared sensor to measure temperature directly from the cooking vessel rather than through the cooker glass. This intermediary positioning eliminates the glass as a thermal barrier that would distort measurements, allowing direct infrared measurement of the vessel's temperature while maintaining automated temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the sensor is positioned far from the cooking vessel to avoid interference, then electromagnetic noise is reduced, but measurement precision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement stabilityVSAvoidtemperature detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The holder structure provides dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing the infrared sensor to be positioned at an optimal distance from the cooking vessel. This dynamic positioning balances the trade-off between being close enough for accurate infrared measurement and far enough to minimize electromagnetic interference, achieving both measurement precision and reliability simultaneously.

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

Enables precise temperature control of cooking vessels, preventing food burning or undercooking, improving cooking quality, user safety, and energy efficiency by minimizing misleading measurements and electromagnetic noise.

Implementation Method 1

at least one infrared sensor detecting the infrared rays emitted from the cooking vessel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

at least one coil which is positioned under the cooker glass and which provides the heating of the cooking vessel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

an induction heating cooker

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4395458B1An induction heating cooker
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 ARCELIK AS
  • EP4395458B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4395458B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4395458B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an induction heating cooker (1) comprising a cooker glass (2) whereon the cooking vessel is placed; at least one coil (3) which is positioned under the cooker glass (2) and which provides the heating of the cooking vessel; a plate (4) which is positioned under the at least one coil (3); and a monolithic holder (8) which is connected to at least one connection edge (4.1, 4.2) of the plate (4) by means of a connection member (8.3) from at least one holder arm (8.1, 8.2) so as to be flush with the plate (4) and whereon at least one infrared sensor (6) detecting the infrared rays emitted from the cooking vessel thereabove and at least one temperature sensor (7) detecting the temperature of the cooker glass (2) whereon the cooking vessel is positioned can be positioned at a certain distance from each other and kept together.