Induction Cooker Heating Element Alignment via Bi-Metallic Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Induction cookers are inefficient when cooking vessels are not centrally aligned over the heating element, as this disrupts the intended heating effect and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A cooker design incorporating a bi-metallic element that moves the heating element into alignment with the cooking vessel based on temperature differences, using a connector arrangement that engages and disengages the heating element as the bi-metallic element deforms, ensuring even heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cooking vessel is not positioned centrally over the induction coil, then the heating effect is disrupted and efficiency is reduced, but manually positioning the vessel centrally requires user effort and precision
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the user to position the cooking vessel centrally over the heating element, the patent inverts the approach by making the heating element movable to follow the cooking vessel's position. The heating element is coupled to a follower mechanism that automatically adjusts its position based on where the vessel is placed, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment while maintaining heating efficiency.
2Productivity
If the heating element is made movable to follow the cooking vessel, then alignment efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is equipped with a follower mechanism that automatically detects and follows the position of the cooking vessel without requiring external control systems, motors, or complex actuators. The mechanism self-adjusts based on the vessel's location, providing automatic alignment while keeping the overall system simple and avoiding complex control electronics.
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 design improves the efficiency and effectiveness of heating by centering the heating element under the cooking vessel, allowing a larger portion to be heated by eddy currents, thus enhancing cooking performance.
Implementation Method 1
a bi-metallic element, the bi-metallic element being arranged to drive the heating element to move based on the temperature of the bi-metallic element
Implementation Method 2
a varying electric current is passed through an induction coil, the coil therefore producing a corresponding varying electromagnetic field. The varying electromagnetic field induces a varying eddy current in a ferromagnetic cooking vessel
Implementation Method 3
The varying electromagnetic field induces a varying eddy current in a ferromagnetic cooking vessel or the like when the cooking vessel is placed in close proximity to the induction coil, which in turn heats the cooking vessel
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a cooker having at least one heating element (200). The cooker also has a supporting structure for supporting a cooking vessel above the heating element (200) and a bi-metallic element (202). The bi-metallic element (202) drives the heating element (200) to move based on a temperature of the bi-metallic element (202).