Induction heating apparatus and method for controlling induction heating apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Induction heating apparatuses generate excessive noise and consume unnecessary power when continuously detecting the absence of a heatable container, leading to user discomfort and potential misinterpretation of device malfunction.

Innovation Solution

Implement a method to reduce container detection operations when no heatable container is present, using a first container detection operation to determine presence and a second operation to confirm heatability, with the controller determining whether to drive the working coil based on the results, thereby minimizing noise and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If continuous container detection is performed to ensure safe operation, then reliability is improved, but noise generation and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafe operationVSAvoidnoise generation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic container detection instead of continuous detection. The controller performs container detection at specific intervals (e.g., when heating is started or stopped) rather than continuously monitoring. This periodic approach maintains safety reliability by detecting containers at critical moments while significantly reducing noise generation and power consumption associated with continuous detection operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If continuous container detection is performed to ensure safe operation, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafe operationVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs container detection periodically at specific operational moments (heating start/stop) rather than continuously. This reduces power consumption by keeping the detection system inactive during steady-state heating operations, while still ensuring safety through detection at critical transition points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs container detection in advance before initiating heating operations. By detecting container presence beforehand, the system ensures safety before energy-intensive heating begins, allowing the detection system to be deactivated during the actual heating process when container presence is already confirmed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If multiple container detection operations are performed to confirm heatability, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer heatability confirmationVSAvoiddetection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides container detection into two distinct operational phases: a first detection operation that determines basic container presence, and a second detection operation that confirms heatability. This segmentation allows the system to perform comprehensive verification when needed while avoiding redundant detection steps, thereby improving measurement precision without excessive time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs a second container detection operation only when the first detection indicates container presence. This partial action approach ensures thorough heatability confirmation for detected containers while avoiding unnecessary detection operations when no container is present, thus improving measurement precision while minimizing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 approach reduces noise generation and power consumption during container detection, quickly notifying users of impossible cooking scenarios, and efficiently managing resource usage.

Implementation Method 1

an alternating current may be applied to the working coil. Accordingly, an induction magnetic field may be generated around the working coil disposed in the induction heating device. When a magnetic force line of the induced magnetic field generated in this way passes through the bottom of the container having a metal component placed on the working coil, an eddy current may be generated inside the bottom of the container.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

When the eddy current generated in this way flows through the container, the container itself may be heated.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

the induction heating apparatus has a function of determining whether a container or vessel is present or whether the container or vessel is heatable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpedance detection:

Data Source

PatentEP4037433A1Induction heating apparatus and method for controlling induction heating apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4037433A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4037433A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4037433A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The method for controlling an induction heating apparatus comprising steps of determining whether a container detection start condition is satisfied; performing a first container detection operation for a heating area when the container detection start condition is satisfied; performing a second container detection operation for the heating area when it is determined that a container is present in the heating area based on the result of the first container detection operation; and driving a working coil corresponding to the heating area when it is determined that the container is a heatable container based on the result of the second container detection operation.