Induction Cooktop Matrix with Row-Column Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household cooking appliances, particularly induction cooktops, face inefficiencies in energy usage and component costs due to the need for multiple switching elements and inductors, which also complicate cookware detection and spatial arrangement.
Innovation Solution
A household appliance device with a matrix configuration of row and column switching elements and inductors, where inductors are connected to both switching elements in a half or full bridge topology, allowing for soft switching operations and efficient energy use, and inductors are arranged in a spatial matrix differing from the heating matrix to optimize spatial arrangement and reduce component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If multiple switching elements and inductors are used in traditional configurations, then heating functionality is achieved, but energy consumption and component costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple inductors into a shared matrix configuration where N×M inductors are controlled by only N+M switching elements through row and column multiplexing. This merging reduces the total number of switching elements from what would traditionally be required for each individual inductor, thereby reducing component costs and energy consumption while maintaining heating functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Each switching element in the matrix configuration serves multiple functions by controlling multiple inductors through its row or column association. The switching elements are universally applicable across the entire inductor matrix, allowing a single switching element to enable or disable multiple inductors depending on the activation pattern, thus reducing the total component count.
2Loss of energy
If traditional switching configurations are used, then inductors can be operated, but switching losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the inductor matrix through selective activation of row and column switching elements. The system can dynamically adjust which inductors are active based on cooking requirements, enabling soft switching operations that reduce switching losses by transitioning between states more efficiently rather than abrupt on/off switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The matrix configuration enables periodic scanning and selective activation of inductor groups through the row and column switching elements. By periodically controlling different combinations of row and column switches, the system can achieve soft switching conditions that minimize energy loss during transitions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If inductors are arranged in a standard grid, then spatial arrangement is simple, but cookware detection and heating zone formation are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heating system into a matrix of individually controllable inductors arranged in N×M positions, where each inductor can be independently activated or deactivated by controlling its corresponding row and column switching elements. This segmentation allows flexible formation of different heating zones by selectively activating specific inductor groups, adapting to various cookware sizes and positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a two-dimensional matrix arrangement of inductors with row and column control dimensions, transforming the traditional single-dimensional or fixed-grid approach. This dimensional expansion allows for more versatile heating zone configurations by controlling inductors along both row and column axes, enabling adaptive heating patterns that match cookware placement.
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 configuration reduces energy consumption, component costs, and switching losses, while enabling efficient cookware detection and flexible heating zone formation, improving overall efficiency and cost efficiency of the cooking appliance.
Implementation Method 1
The inductor is provided to form the heating zone as a function of a position of a cookware item positioned on the cooktop plate... The inductor comprises at least one wound electrical conductor, preferably in the form of a circular disk, through which a high-frequency heating current flows... to heat at least one cookware item positioned on the cooktop plate of the household appliance device inductively
Data Source
AI summary
A household appliance device includes an integer number N of row switching elements at a row position i, wherein i is an integer number 1≤i≤N, an integer number M of column switching elements at a column position j, wherein j is an integer number 1≤j≤M, and a heating matrix including at least N×M heating matrix elements having positions (i, j), with N+M>2, wherein a heating matrix element at the position (i,j) includes at least one inductor at the position (i,j) and is connected to both the i-th row switching element and the j-th column switching element.