Induction heating apparatus

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In induction heating cooking appliances with multiple coils, operating multiple operation portions for multiple cooking containers is cumbersome, and the position-dependent operation interface complicates user experience, making it difficult to select appropriate cooking menus and position cooking containers optimally.

Innovation Solution

A cooking apparatus with a top plate, multiple heating coils, a heating controller, temperature detectors, and a cooking container detector that displays cooking container icons and menus based on size and shape, allowing for intuitive operation and safe cooking by separating display areas for placement state and menu selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple operation portions are provided for multiple heating coils, then each cooking container can be heated independently, but the operation portions become small and difficult to operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to heat multiple cooking containersVSAvoidoperability of operation portions
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple operation portions into a single shared operation portion that displays and controls multiple cooking containers. Instead of providing separate operation portions for each heating coil, the system integrates them into one interface that can handle multiple containers simultaneously, making the operation portions larger and easier to operate while maintaining the ability to heat multiple containers independently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the operation position changes according to the cooking container position, then the interface adapts to container placement, but it becomes difficult for users to get used to the operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to container placement positionVSAvoiduser familiarity with operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal operation portion that serves all cooking containers regardless of their placement position. The single operation portion displays information for multiple containers and allows control of any container from the same location, making the interface consistent and familiar to users while still adapting to show the appropriate container information based on what is placed on the hot plate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution simplifies operation by displaying relevant menus based on cooking container position and size, ensuring easy and safe use, even when multiple containers are present, by maintaining a consistent operation interface and enhancing usability and safety.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of heating coils configured to generate an induction magnetic field for heating the cooking container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 2

at least one or more temperature detector means configured to be disposed at the center or in the vicinity of the heating coils and detect the temperature of the cooking container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 3

a cooking container detector portion configured to supply the heating coils with a high-frequency current in predetermined time intervals and determine the placement state and the material of the cooking container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3010308B1Induction heating apparatus
Publication Date: 2017.12.13 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3010308B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3010308B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3010308B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

When a cooking container 1 is placed on a top plate 2, a cooking container detector portion 5, which determines whether the cooking container 1 is placed and further determines a size of the cooking container 1, determines a placement and the size or a shape of the cooking container 1 to display a cooking container icon in a placement state display area 11, display a cooking menu icon corresponding to the cooking container icon in a menu selection area 9 of an operation portion 6. The cooking menu is set by selecting an icon display. As a result, it is possible to prevent complicating an operating method, and to realize an easy-to-understand operation.