Induction Cooktop Power Distribution via Phase-Segmented AC Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking apparatuses with induction heating coils lack efficient power distribution and control mechanisms, leading to suboptimal performance and energy usage, especially when handling high and low power burners simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A cooking apparatus with multiple induction heating coils, featuring concentric high power and low power burners, utilizes a power supply unit with alternating current (AC) power sources of different phases and a control unit that dynamically distributes power among the coils based on priority and current detection, ensuring efficient energy usage and heat distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single power supply unit is used for all induction heating coils, then the device complexity is reduced, but the power distribution efficiency deteriorates when handling both high and low power burners simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into multiple independent AC power supply units (first AC power supply unit and second AC power supply unit), each capable of independently powering heating coils. This segmentation allows efficient power distribution to multiple burners simultaneously without overloading a single power supply, resolving the contradiction between simplified structure and power distribution efficiency.
2Productivity
If power is supplied to all heating coils simultaneously, then the cooking performance is improved, but the energy waste increases due to insufficient power management
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically manages power distribution by enabling independent control of each AC power supply unit and heating coil combination. The control unit can adjust which coils receive power and at what levels, allowing the system to adapt to different cooking scenarios. This dynamic control ensures high cooking performance when needed while preventing energy waste when full power is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by allowing different power levels and phases to be applied to different heating coils based on cooking requirements. This parameter flexibility enables optimal energy utilization - providing high power to active burners while minimizing or eliminating power to inactive burners, thus improving cooking performance without proportionally increasing energy consumption.
3Temperature
If concentric heating coils are used for high power burners, then the heat distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The high power burners utilize a nested concentric coil structure where one heating coil is placed inside another (first heating coil and second heating coil concentrically arranged). This nesting approach improves heat distribution by creating multiple heating zones within a single burner footprint, while the modular concentric design allows for standardized manufacturing and assembly, partially offsetting the complexity increase.
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 apparatus achieves stable and efficient power supply to both high and low power burners, optimizing energy usage and heat generation, thereby improving cooking performance and reducing energy waste.
Implementation Method 1
an induction heating cooking apparatus is a device for heating and cooking the food using the principle of induction heating to convert electrical energy into thermal energy by electromagnetic induction
Implementation Method 2
a secondary current is induced in the cooking vessel, and the Joule heat is generated by the resistive component of the cooking vessel itself
Data Source
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AI summary
A cooking apparatus and a method for controlling the cooking apparatus are provided. The cooking apparatus includes induction heating coils that include a high power burner in which a first heating coil and a second heating coil are concentric. The cooking apparatus includes a low power burner that includes a third heating coil and a fourth heating coil, a power supply unit that includes a first AC power supply unit and a second AC power supply unit which have a different phase from each other, and a coil driving unit that provides power supplied by the first AC power supply unit to the first heating coil, and provides power supplied by the second AC power supply unit to at least one of the second heating coil, the third heating coil, and the fourth heating coil.