Induction Cooktop Coverage Detection for Multi-Vessel Heating Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hobs with induction heating coils struggle to accurately determine the coverage situation and automatically operate heating devices for cooking vessels, leading to inefficient heating and potential hot spots.
Innovation Solution
A method and hob design featuring a pot detection device with adjacent induction heating coils along a straight line, which determines the relative coverage of each coil by a cooking vessel, allowing for case distinction and automatic operation of heating devices to ensure even heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple induction heating coils are operated together to heat a cooking vessel, then heating efficiency is improved, but hot spots and uneven heating occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by individually controlling the power of each induction heating coil based on its specific coverage by the cooking vessel. The control unit adjusts the power distribution locally across different heating zones, ensuring that areas with higher vessel coverage receive more power while maintaining overall heating efficiency and preventing hot spots.
2Extent of automation
If pot detection device determines relative coverage of each heating device, then automatic operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the heating coils themselves to function as pot detection sensors. The induction heating coils detect the presence and coverage of cooking vessels through their electrical characteristics, eliminating the need for separate detection sensors and simplifying the overall control system while maintaining automatic operation capability.
3Measurement precision
If heating devices are arranged along a straight line with maximum overlap, then coverage recognition is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by using the electrical characteristics and operational parameters of the induction heating coils themselves as detection signals. Instead of requiring precise mechanical alignment and separate physical sensors, the system copies the heating function for detection purposes, using the same coils to both heat and detect vessel coverage through changes in their electrical properties.
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
The method enables easy recognition of coverage situations and automatic operation of heating devices, ensuring that cooking vessels are heated evenly across the hob surface without hot spots, improving cooking efficiency and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
several heating devices in the form of induction heating coils are arranged along a straight line or row
Implementation Method 2
The heating devices are designed as induction heating coils and can then themselves be part of this pot detection device
Implementation Method 3
A pot detection device is provided in each case, in particular formed by the induction heating coils themselves, which can determine whether a cooking vessel has been placed above it
Data Source
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AI summary
In a method for operating a cooktop comprising a cooktop plate and adjacent heating elements arranged along a straight line beneath it, as well as a pot detection device for detecting the relative coverage of each heating element by cooking vessels placed above it, a preliminary step determines which heating element is covered by a cooking vessel and thus exhibits relative coverage. In a subsequent step, the pot detection device determines the relative coverage of each covered heating element, and based on this result and a comparison of these results for each heating element, a case distinction is made between one of several possible scenarios. For example, the first scenario...In a case where it is determined that the relative coverage of the middle heating device is less than the relative coverage of the two other adjacent heating devices arranged along the straight line, it is determined that no cooking vessel is placed over the three heating devices which completely covers all three heating devices, but that at least two cooking vessels are placed over the three heating devices.