Induction Heating Circuit Segmentation for Assembly Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing induction heating cooking apparatuses face challenges in assembling and arranging printed board assemblies (PBAs) with driving circuits and control circuits, particularly when dealing with a large number of induction heating coils, which complicates the arrangement of driving circuits and control circuits, and increases the complexity of wire connections.
Innovation Solution
The cooking apparatus includes multiple PBAs with separate installations for sensing circuits, driving circuits, and power circuits, which are arranged to minimize wire connections and improve assembly efficiency, featuring a configuration with distinct assemblies for distributing driving currents to induction heating coils based on vessel position and temperature sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of induction heating coils are installed to enable automatic heating of cooking vessels placed at any position, then heating coverage and automation are improved, but the complexity of arranging driving circuits and control circuits increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooking plate into multiple heating zones, each with its own driving circuit and control circuit. This segmentation allows each zone to operate independently, simplifying the overall circuit arrangement while maintaining comprehensive heating coverage across the entire cooking plate surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges driving circuits and control circuits in a distributed manner across the cooking plate structure, utilizing vertical and lateral space efficiently. This dimensional arrangement reduces wire connection complexity by placing circuits closer to their corresponding heating zones, minimizing the length and number of connecting wires.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple induction heating coils are used to cover various cooking positions, then heating versatility is improved, but the number of wires connecting the circuits increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the driving circuit and control circuit functions into separate, modular units that are distributed across the cooking plate. Each heating zone has its own dedicated circuits, which reduces the overall wire connection complexity by eliminating the need for long-distance signal routing across the entire plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central control unit that acts as an intermediary, managing signals between multiple driving circuits and the main control system. This intermediary approach simplifies wire connections by consolidating control signals through a single hub rather than requiring direct point-to-point connections between all components.
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 assembly and maintenance of the cooking apparatus, reduces circuit interference, and enhances the productivity of the cooking apparatus by allowing for efficient distribution of driving currents to induction heating coils, thereby improving heating performance.
Implementation Method 1
When a current is supplied to the induction heating coil, a magnetic field is generated inducing a secondary current in the cooking vessel so that Joule heat is generated by resistance components of the cooking vessel
Implementation Method 2
Joule heat is generated by resistance components of the cooking vessel
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is a cooking apparatus including a cooking plate, induction heating coils installed under the cooking plate, a temperature sensor configured to output a signal indicating a temperature of a cooking vessel placed on the cooking plate, a driving assembly including a driving circuit configured to generate a driving current and distribute the driving current to each of the induction heating coils, and a sub assembly including a temperature sensing circuit configured to determine a temperature of a cooking vessel based on the signal of the temperature sensor. The sub assembly may be separated from the driving assembly.