Induction Heating Test System with Spiral Coil and Mixing Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing test systems for heating contents, such as those used in the Hagberg test, face challenges including large size, complex implementation, safety risks, and non-uniform heating, particularly when dealing with mixtures of powders and liquids, which are not efficiently addressed by traditional methods like water baths, induction heating systems, or microwave heating.
Innovation Solution
A test system featuring a test container with induction coils fixed spirally around a reception container, a feeler mechanism for mixing contents, and a guide mechanism for independent mixing within the container, allowing for controlled and uniform heating through induction, reducing bulk and safety risks, and enabling efficient handling and multiple tests without significant latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a water bath is used for heating, then the heating process is simple to implement, but the temperature control is difficult and the heating is non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical water bath heating system with an electromagnetic induction heating system. The induction coil generates an alternating magnetic field that directly induces eddy currents in the test container, converting electromagnetic energy to thermal energy without mechanical contact or water medium, thereby achieving precise temperature control and uniform heating while maintaining ease of implementation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating parameter from indirect thermal conduction (water bath) to direct electromagnetic induction. By adjusting the frequency and power of the alternating current in the induction coil, the heating rate and temperature distribution can be precisely controlled, eliminating the temperature control difficulties and non-uniform heating of water baths
2Ease of manufacture
If a water bath is used for heating, then the heating process is simple to implement, but the device occupies significant bulk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the bulky water bath system with a compact electromagnetic induction heating system. The induction coil can be wound around the test container in a space-efficient manner, eliminating the need for a large water bath reservoir and associated infrastructure, thereby significantly reducing the overall device bulk while maintaining ease of implementation
Solution Approach 2:
The induction coil is nested around the test container in a concentric arrangement, with the coil windings positioned closely around the container. This nested configuration maximizes the use of available space and minimizes the overall device footprint, reducing bulk compared to the water bath system
3Temperature
If induction heating is used, then the temperature control is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies induction heating locally around the test container rather than using a large-scale heating system. The induction coil is positioned to provide focused heating only where needed, with the magnetic field concentrated in the region of the test container, thereby achieving good temperature control without significantly increasing overall device bulk
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a movable or adjustable induction coil system that can be dynamically positioned around the test container. This dynamic configuration allows the coil to be placed as close as possible to the container for efficient heating, minimizing the space required for the heating system while maintaining excellent temperature control
4Device complexity
If a rigid test container is used, then the container structure is simple, but the mixing of contents is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vibration mechanism that applies mechanical vibrations to the rigid test container during heating. These vibrations create internal movement and mixing of the contents without requiring complex container structures, thereby maintaining the simplicity of the rigid container while significantly improving the mixing of contents through vibrational agitation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static rigid container into a dynamically active mixing system by adding a vibration or agitation mechanism. The container remains structurally simple and rigid, but the dynamic motion imparted to the contents during heating achieves thorough mixing without requiring complex container designs
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 achieves homogeneous heating, prevents temperature peaks, and allows for safe operation, enabling precise temperature control and efficient mixing of contents, thereby improving the accuracy and safety of tests like the Hagberg test while reducing the overall size and complexity of the testing device.
Implementation Method 1
a coil (4) comprising induction turns and a current source (S) adapted to supply current to the induction turns
Implementation Method 2
the induction coils are fixed on the reception container (3) and extend in a spiral concentrically around the reception container (3)
Implementation Method 3
a feeler (18) for effecting the mixing of the contents of the test container (2) and a mechanism for guiding the feeler (18) in the interior space of the test container (2)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A test system comprising a heating device (1) for heating content comprising a mixture of a first and a second product, said device comprising a test container (2) suitable for receiving the content, a receiving container (3) suitable for receiving the test container (2), a coil (4) comprising induction turns (5), and a current source suitable for supplying current to the induction turns (5). The heating device is such that the induction turns (5) are attached to the receiving container (3) and extend helically concentrically around the receiving container (3). The test system further comprises an arm for mixing the content of the test container (2) and a mechanism for guiding the arm. A method for implementing such a test system.