Induction heating device having improved indicator structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Induction heating devices suffer from low light uniformity at the light-emitting surface due to uneven surface roughness, leading to inefficient indication of output intensity and operation state of the working coil.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a light guide with a parabolic lower surface and a longer upper surface, along with a light-guiding support that refracts and reflects light to achieve uniform light distribution, and uses multiple symmetrically arranged light-emitting elements to ensure even illumination across the light-emitting surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional indicator structure with light-emitting elements, light-guiding units, and light-emitting display units is used, then the working coil operation can be indicated, but the light uniformity at the light-emitting surface deteriorates due to uneven surface roughness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming the lower surface of the light guide in a parabolic shape. This curved surface refracts light from the light-emitting element to achieve uniform light distribution across the light-emitting surface, resolving the light uniformity issue caused by conventional flat structures with uneven surface roughness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the light guide by defining specific relationships between the upper surface length (L1) and lower surface length (L2) in the first direction, and upper surface length (W1) and lower surface length (W2) in the second direction. These parameter changes enable the light guide to expand the light-emitting surface area while maintaining uniform light distribution.
2Reliability
If multiple indicator-related parts (light-emitting elements, light-guiding units, light-emitting display units) are used to ensure proper indication, then the indication function is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple indicator-related parts into a single integrated light guide structure. The light guide combines the functions of light transmission, light diffusion, and light emission display, eliminating the need for separate light-guiding units and light-emitting display units, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining indication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides light from the light-emitting element, diffuses the light uniformly across its surface, and displays the indication. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while ensuring reliable operation indication.
3Illumination intensity
If the indicator structure is designed to accommodate multiple light-emitting elements and supporting components, then proper light emission is achieved, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the third dimension by forming the light guide with a parabolic lower surface and different length relationships between upper and lower surfaces in two different directions. This dimensional approach allows the light guide to expand the light-emitting surface area vertically and diagonally without proportionally increasing the horizontal footprint, achieving efficient space utilization.
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 enhances light uniformity, allowing for accurate indication of output intensity and operation state, reducing the number of indicator parts and manufacturing costs while improving space utilization and user efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide located on the base plate around the working coil, the light guide including a light-emitting surface configured to indicate at least one of an output intensity of the working coil or an operation state of the working coil
Implementation Method 2
a light-guiding support that is configured to couple to the base plate and that surrounds at least a portion of the light-guiding portion, the light-guiding support being configured to reflect, toward the light-guiding portion, at least one of light that has been emitted from the light-emitting element or light that has been guided through the light-guiding portion
Implementation Method 3
In an induction heating method, an eddy current is generated in an object made of a metal component so that the object is heated using a magnetic field generated around a coil when a predetermined magnitude of high-frequency power is applied to the coil
Implementation Method 4
an eddy current is generated in an object made of a metal component so that the object is heated using a magnetic field generated around a coil
Data Source
AI summary
An induction heating device includes a case, a cover plate, a working coil, a base plate, a light guide that is located around the working coil and includes a light-emitting surface that indicates an output intensity of the working coil or an operation state of the working coil, and a light-emitting element that emits light toward the light guide. The light guide includes a light-guiding portion that has a lower surface having a parabolic shape and an upper surface including the light-emitting surface in which the upper surface extends in a first direction farther than the lower surface, and a light-guiding support that couples to the base plate, that surrounds at least a portion of the light-guiding portion, and that reflects, toward the light-guiding portion, at least one of light that has been emitted from the light-emitting element or light that has been guided through the light-guiding portion.