Cooking apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional induction heating cooktops face issues with temperature sensing due to separate installation of temperature sensors, which increases manufacturing cost and time, occupies additional space, and interferes with working coil patterns, limiting space utilization and burner count.

Innovation Solution

Integrally forming a temperature sensor with a coil circuit board module, positioning it within the sensing coil pattern area, and isolating it from the working coil pattern to prevent interference and heat conduction, thereby optimizing space utilization and reducing manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a temperature sensor is separately installed on the cooktop, then temperature sensing function is achieved, but manufacturing cost and manufacturing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature sensing functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and manufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor is integrated directly into the coil circuit board module, merging the temperature sensing function with the existing coil assembly structure. This eliminates the need for separate installation of temperature sensors and reduces the number of components, thereby lowering manufacturing cost and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining reliable temperature sensing capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a temperature sensor is separately installed on the cooktop, then temperature sensing function is achieved, but space utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature sensing functionVSAvoidspace utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor is merged with the coil circuit board module, utilizing the same space that would otherwise be occupied by separate components. This integration approach maximizes space utilization by eliminating the need for additional dedicated space for temperature sensor installation while ensuring reliable temperature sensing functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a temperature sensor is separately installed on the cooktop, then temperature sensing function is achieved, but additional wiring and fixing structures are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature sensing functionVSAvoidadditional wiring and fixing structures
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor is combined with the coil circuit board module into a single integrated unit. This merger eliminates the need for separate wiring connections and fixing structures that would be required for independently installed temperature sensors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective temperature sensing capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coil circuit board module is designed to serve multiple functions: generating the magnetic field for induction heating and sensing temperature. By making the system multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated temperature sensing components and their associated wiring and mounting structures, simplifying the overall device architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Power

If the vertical size of individual burner is increased to accommodate multi-layer working coil, then output of individual burner increases, but the percentage of entire vertical size occupied by burner increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput of individual burnerVSAvoidvertical size of burner
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a vertical stacking approach to a planar integration approach by forming working coil patterns directly on a printed circuit board. This dimensional change allows the burner to maintain high output power through multi-layer coil patterns while keeping the vertical profile thin, as the complexity is resolved in the horizontal plane rather than increasing vertical height

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 integrated temperature sensor design enhances space utilization, improves temperature detection accuracy, and minimizes manufacturing time and costs by eliminating separate installation structures and wiring, while allowing for more burners on the cooktop.

Implementation Method 1

when high-frequency power is applied to a working coil, a magnetic field may be generated around the working coil. An eddy current is generated in the cooking container made of a magnetic material under the generated magnetic field, and the food cooking may be performed by the cooking container which acts as a resistor against the eddy current and generates heat.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The induction heating cooking appliance is a cooking appliance that performs a cooking function in an induction heating manner.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 3

a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the top plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermistor

Data Source

PatentEP4701340A1Cooking apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4701340A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4701340A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4701340A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cooking apparatus in which the heating efficiency and power efficiency of a heating coil can be improved by arranging an external insulating material outside an insulating material accommodating the heating coil and arranging a reflector, which reflects radiant heat generated in the heating coil toward a top plate, in an internal accommodation space of the insulating material.