Induction Cooktop Coil Matrix for Uniform Pan Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional induction cooktops face challenges in evenly heating cooking containers of varying sizes and shapes, particularly large or square-shaped containers, due to limited heating zones and inefficient energy distribution.
Innovation Solution
A cooking appliance with a top plate featuring a plurality of horizontally arranged coils and relays, where an inverter part applies high-frequency voltage to the coils based on load current detection, ensuring even heating across all locations regardless of container size or shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a cooktop is equipped with two to five burners, then the heating coverage is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase due to requiring multiple inverters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple heating zones into a single integrated inverter system. Instead of using separate inverters for each burner, one inverter controls multiple coils that can be independently activated through relay parts, reducing the number of inverters from multiple to one while maintaining comprehensive heating coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the heating system into multiple independently controllable coils arranged in a matrix pattern under the top plate. Each coil can be individually activated or deactivated through relay control, allowing flexible heating coverage without requiring multiple full inverter systems
2Area of stationary object
If multiple inverters are used to cover all heating zones, then the heating coverage is improved, but the energy loss and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of heating zones through relay parts that can selectively activate or deactivate individual coils based on the cooking container's position and size. This dynamic adjustment ensures energy is only consumed where needed, reducing overall energy loss compared to having multiple inverters running simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The single inverter is designed to perform multiple functions by controlling different coil combinations. It can activate individual coils, adjacent coils, or all coils simultaneously depending on the heating requirements, making one inverter as versatile as multiple inverters would be
3Ease of operation
If a cooking container is placed on a predetermined cook zone, then the heating function is simple, but the adaptability to various container sizes and shapes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses sensor parts to dynamically detect the position, size, and shape of cooking containers in real-time. Based on this detection, the control part dynamically adjusts which coils are activated to provide optimal heating coverage for any container configuration, maintaining ease of operation while achieving high adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent activates specific local coils based on where the cooking container is placed. Instead of heating the entire surface uniformly, only the relevant local coils under or near the container are activated, providing tailored heating for each container's specific position and dimensions
4Quantity of substance
If a large or square-shaped cooking container is placed on a conventional burner, then the cooking capacity is improved, but the heating uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating system into multiple segmented coils arranged in a matrix pattern. For large or square-shaped containers, multiple adjacent coils can be simultaneously activated to provide distributed heating across the entire container base, ensuring uniform heat distribution that a single conventional burner cannot achieve
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 uniform heating of cooking containers of any size or shape, reduces the need for multiple inverters, and enhances energy efficiency, ensuring even heating regardless of the number of burners used.
Implementation Method 1
The inductive heating way is a method heating a cooking container which is a metal body using electromagnetic induction, wherein when a current is supplied to the coil, an eddy current is generated into the cooking container to be heated
Implementation Method 2
when a current is supplied to the coil, an eddy current is generated into the cooking container to be heated and a temperature is increased by line heating generated by the resistance of the metal
Implementation Method 3
a temperature is increased by line heating generated by the resistance of the metal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Provided are a cooking appliance and a control method thereof. A cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a top plate on which a cooking container is placed, a plurality of winding parts including a plurality of coils horizontally arranged under the top plate, a plurality of relay parts including a plurality of relays that each connected to the plurality of coils, and an inverter part for applying a voltage of high frequency to the plurality of winding parts.