Induction Cooktop Control Unit for Coupling Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooktops with induction technology face challenges in minimizing acoustic coupling noises and maintaining a stable power load, leading to unfavorable acoustic loads and potential flicker issues during the heating process.
Innovation Solution
A cooking appliance device with a control unit that manages energy supply to multiple induction targets using different energy sources, switching between common and dedicated operating states to reduce coupling noises and maintain constant power, thereby minimizing flicker and optimizing power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If induction targets are operated at different heating frequencies to reduce coupling noise, then acoustic quality is improved, but power load stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements periodic switching between different operational modes for the induction targets. During certain time intervals, induction targets operate at different heating frequencies to minimize coupling noise, while during other intervals, they synchronize to maintain stable power load. This periodic alternation resolves the contradiction by applying different frequency strategies at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the heating frequencies of induction targets based on real-time operating conditions. The control unit monitors power load stability and coupling noise levels, then adaptively changes frequency assignments. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize both acoustic quality and power stability rather than being fixed in one operational mode.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple induction targets are operated simultaneously at different frequencies, then heating flexibility is improved, but intermodulation noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit periodically switches between multi-frequency simultaneous operation and synchronized operation. When cooking vessels are detected on multiple induction targets, the system alternates between providing flexible simultaneous heating at different frequencies and synchronizing frequencies to eliminate intermodulation noise, thereby resolving the contradiction between heating flexibility and noise reduction.
3Stability of the object's composition
If induction targets are synchronized to maintain constant power, then power load stability is improved, but coupling noise control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically transitions between synchronized operation mode (for power stability) and unsynchronized different-frequency operation mode (for noise control). Based on detected operating conditions such as presence of cooking vessels and current noise levels, the system adaptively switches modes to maintain power stability when needed while minimizing coupling noise when possible.
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 solution effectively reduces acoustic coupling noises and ensures a stable power load, enhancing operating comfort and efficiency by coordinating the energy supply to induction targets, ensuring a consistent heat output and even power distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a control unit (12) which is designed for controlling and supplying energy to at least one first induction target (56) from a first energy source and at least one second induction target (58) from a second energy source
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cooking appliance (10), in particular a cooktop appliance, with a control unit (12) which is provided for controlling and supplying energy to at least one first induction target (56) from a first energy source and to at least one second induction target (58) from a second energy source. To improve the control characteristics, it is proposed that the control unit (12) be designed, in the case of at least one cooking vessel (44) that is part of both the first induction target (56) and the second induction target (58), to define at least one common induction target (14) and to transition to at least one special operating state in order to at least reduce coupling noise by at least one specific control of the first and the second induction target (56, 58).