Induction-Heated Fan Wheel for Simpler Cooking Appliance Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking appliances with blower units and resistance heating elements face challenges in construction complexity, electrical wiring issues, and limited heat transfer efficiency, leading to potential overheating and premature failure.
Innovation Solution
An induction cooking appliance with a fan unit and induction heating element, where the heating element is integrated into the impeller and generates an alternating electromagnetic field to heat the impeller and surrounding components, eliminating the need for direct electrical connections and allowing for uniform and efficient heat distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a resistance heating element is used on the blower wheel, then heating function is achieved, but construction complexity and electrical wiring issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the resistance heating element (electrical system) with an induction heating system using a coil and magnetic field (electromagnetic system). The coil generates an alternating magnetic field that induces eddy currents in the conductive blower wheel, which then self-heats without direct electrical contact, eliminating wiring complexity while maintaining heating capability
Solution Approach 2:
The blower wheel itself becomes the heating element through induction heating. The conductive material of the blower wheel generates heat through induced eddy currents when exposed to the alternating magnetic field from the coil, making the system self-heating without requiring separate heating components or electrical connections to the rotating part
2Temperature
If a resistance heating element is used on the blower wheel, then heating function is achieved, but heat transfer efficiency is limited and overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces resistance heating with induction heating, where the alternating magnetic field directly induces eddy currents in the blower wheel's conductive material. This method achieves more efficient heat generation and transfer compared to resistance heating, as the heat is generated within the blower wheel material itself rather than being transferred from a separate element, preventing overheating and improving energy efficiency
3Temperature
If a resistance heating element is used on the blower wheel, then heating is achieved, but reliability decreases due to premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The blower wheel serves dual functions: it acts as both the airflow generation component and the heating element through induction heating. The conductive material of the blower wheel generates heat through induced eddy currents without requiring separate heating components that would be subject to thermal stress and failure, thereby improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the resistance heating element with an induction heating coil that magnetically couples with the blower wheel. This eliminates direct electrical connections to the rotating blower wheel, removing a major source of failure points (wire connections, contacts, and thermal stress on heating elements) and significantly improving system reliability
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 simplifies the construction, reduces electrical wiring complexities, enhances heat transfer efficiency, and extends the lifespan of the heating element by allowing for high-temperature heating without direct resistance heating, while maintaining operational independence from the blower unit.
Implementation Method 1
the heating element is integrated into the impeller and generates an alternating electromagnetic field to heat the impeller and surrounding components
Implementation Method 2
the heating element is designed as an induction heating element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooking appliance (10a-c) having at least one fan unit (12a-c), which has at least one fan wheel (16a-c), which is rotatable about a rotation axis (14a-c), and having at least one heating element (18a-c), which is provided in at least one operating state for heating the fan wheel (16a-c). In order to provide a device of the type in question having improved properties in respect of a construction, according to the invention, the heating element (18a-c) is designed as an induction heating element.