Induction Cooktop Layout for Low-Height Dual Heating Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen appliances, particularly induction cooktops, have a relatively high height due to the arrangement of PCBs and fans, which complicates wire organization and poses safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A home appliance design with a first seating portion containing a first coil, inverter, and cooling system, and a second seating portion with a lower height and a second coil, allowing for improved safety and convenience through the use of inverters, foreign object detectors, and near field communication antennas to control induced current and power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If PCB and fan are arranged on each of the plurality of seating portions, then each seating portion can be independently controlled and cooled, but the height of the induction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The induction is divided into multiple seating portions (first seating portion and second seating portion), each with its own coil and inverter for independent control. The control system is segmented into first inverter controller and second inverter controller, allowing each seating portion to be independently operated while maintaining a compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement (which increases height) to a horizontal planar arrangement of multiple seating portions. By distributing the seating portions side-by-side rather than stacking them vertically, the design reduces the overall height while maintaining independent control capabilities through separate coils and inverters arranged in the horizontal plane.
2Ease of operation
If multiple seating portions are provided with separate PCBs and fans, then each portion can be independently controlled, but wire organization becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions by providing a first inverter controller that controls both the first inverter and the second inverter. This centralized control approach reduces the number of separate control circuits and simplifies wire organization, while still enabling independent operation of each seating portion through the inverter level control.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the second seating portion has a lower height, then safety is improved, but the space for arranging components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different height specifications to different seating portions: the first seating portion has a standard height sufficient for accommodating all necessary components (coil, inverter, controller), while the second seating portion has a reduced height. This local differentiation allows the lower second seating portion to improve safety by reducing the overall appliance height and improving accessibility, while the first seating portion maintains adequate space for component arrangement.
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 design reduces the overall height of the appliance, enhances safety by preventing malfunctions from foreign objects, and improves user convenience by adapting power supply based on detected devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first coil arranged in the first seating portion and configured to generate induced current to the first seating portion
Implementation Method 2
a second coil arranged in the second seating portion and configured to generate induced current to the second seating portion
Implementation Method 3
a fan arranged in the first seating portion and configured to cool the first coil and the second coil
Data Source
AI summary
A home appliance includes a case having a first seating portion and a second seating portion, a first coil arranged in the first seating portion and configured to generate induced current to the first seating portion, a second coil arranged in the second seating portion and configured to generate induced current to the second seating portion and having a height lower than a height of the first seating portion, a first inverter arranged in the first seating portion and to supply driving current to the first coil to cause the first coil to generate the induced current, and a second inverter arranged in the first seating portion and to supply driving current to the second coil to cause the second coil to generate the induced current.