Induction Cooker Transistor Current Imbalance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Induction cookers face issues due to manufacturing variations and errors, leading to uneven current distribution through switching transistors, which can result in premature failure and require costly repairs or replacements.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a power circuit with two transistors in series and parallel, each with a current sensor, and a controller to compare and indicate if the current difference exceeds a threshold, providing a visual or auditory warning for potential issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manufacturing variations and errors occur in switching transistors, then current distribution becomes uneven, but this leads to premature failure and costly repairs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements current sensing and comparison circuitry that continuously monitors current distribution through parallel transistors before failure occurs. The system detects imbalances early in the operation and can trigger warnings or protective actions, preventing premature transistor failure rather than addressing it after manufacturing variations cause problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where current sensors monitor the current through each transistor, the controller compares these currents, and the system responds by generating indications when imbalances are detected. This closed-loop feedback allows real-time detection and response to current distribution issues caused by manufacturing variations, improving transistor reliability.
2Reliability
If current imbalance is detected late, then transistor failure occurs, but early detection requires additional sensing and control components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates current sensors and a controller that continuously monitors and compares currents through parallel transistors. This feedback system enables early detection of current imbalances without requiring overly complex additional components, achieving failure prevention through practical sensing and comparison circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing power circuit transistors and current paths to enable self-diagnosis. The current sensors tap into existing current flow, and the controller utilizes the natural current distribution through parallel transistors to perform self-monitoring, reducing the need for separate complex diagnostic systems while enabling early failure detection.
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 solution allows for early detection of current imbalances, enabling timely repairs or replacements, reducing the risk of transistor failure and extending the induction cooker's lifespan while also serving as a quality control measure during manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
a varying electric current is passed through an induction coil, the coil therefore producing a corresponding varying electromagnetic field. The varying electromagnetic field induces a varying eddy current in a ferromagnetic cooking vessel
Implementation Method 2
a first current sensor for sensing the current flowing through the first transistor; a second current sensor for sensing the current flowing through the second transistor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An induction cooker (10) has an induction coil (12). A power circuit provides a varying electric current to the induction coil (12). The power circuit has at least a first transistor (24) and a second transistor (26). A first current sensor (28) senses the current flowing through the first transistor (24). A second current sensor (30) senses the current flowing through the second transistor (26). An indication is output in the case that the current flowing through the first transistor (24) and the current flowing through the second transistor (26) differ by more than a threshold.