Induction Heater with Segmented Target Workpiece for Shaving Product Dispensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing induction heating systems face inefficiencies in heating specific target workpieces, leading to uneven temperature distribution, material degradation, and cross-contamination issues, particularly in dispensing applications where only a portion of the material needs to be heated.
Innovation Solution
An induction heater with a conductive metallic target workpiece positioned within an induction cavity, utilizing a motion sensor for controlled dispensing and an RFID tag for precise heating parameters, ensuring only the necessary volume of material is heated, minimizing degradation and preventing cross-contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the entire container of material is heated, then the material is sufficiently warmed for application, but energy is wasted heating material that will not be used and the container becomes difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The heating process is segmented into two distinct stages: first, the induction heater heats only the specific volume of material that will be dispensed; second, after dispensing, a separate heating element warms the remaining material in the container. This segmentation prevents energy waste by avoiding premature heating of unused material while ensuring the container is sufficiently warm for future dispensing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating of only the required volume of material before dispensing occurs. The induction heater selectively heats the material in the dispensing zone without heating the entire container contents, allowing the container to be removed easily after dispensing while the heated material is ready for immediate application.
2Ease of manufacture
If resistive heating is used to heat the container, then the heating system is simple and inexpensive, but the material requires regular cleaning to avoid cross-contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into two independent heating zones: an induction heater for heating the dispensing volume and a separate container heater for warming the remaining material. This segmentation allows the container to be easily removed and replaced between different material types, preventing cross-contamination while maintaining system simplicity and low cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a removable container as an intermediary between the heating system and the material. The container can be easily removed, cleaned, or replaced between different material types, serving as a barrier that prevents cross-contamination while the heating elements provide the necessary thermal energy.
3Loss of energy
If induction heating is used to heat only a specific volume of material, then energy efficiency is improved and material degradation is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system uses segmentation to divide the heating function into two parts: induction heating for the dispensing volume and resistive heating for the container. This allows the system to achieve high energy efficiency through selective induction heating while using simpler resistive heating for the remaining material, balancing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial induction heating to only the volume of material that will be dispensed, avoiding excessive heating of the entire container contents. This partial action approach minimizes energy waste and reduces material degradation while keeping the heating system relatively simple by using induction only where necessary.
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 system efficiently heats only the required volume of material, reducing degradation and ensuring easy container removal, while maintaining precise temperature control and preventing cross-contamination.
Implementation Method 1
An induction heater with a conductive metallic target workpiece positioned within an induction cavity
Implementation Method 2
induction heating is the process of heating an electrically conductive object by electromagnetic induction, where eddy currents are generated within the target workpiece
Implementation Method 3
The target workpiece then warms the material on its way to the outlet
Data Source
AI summary
An induction heating device for heating and/or melting a heat affected product zone of shaving or cosmetic products stored in a product container which consists of a layer of the product heated by an electrically conductive metallic target member having through-passages overlying the top product surface and energized by an induction coil into which an electromagnet field is generated by electronic circuitry for a predetermined time period into the product container, thereby permitting the heated and or melted product to flow through the through-passages onto the top surface of the target member to be collected by a user for shaving or cosmetic purposes.