Induction Hob Coil Marking for Precise Small Pot Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing induction cooking hobs struggle to allow exact arrangement of small cooking pots due to limitations in pot detection systems, which are inefficient when the pot's bottom area is equal to or smaller than the induction coil area, leading to incomplete or inaccurate activation of heating elements.
Innovation Solution
The use of an identification symbol in the form of a cross with striped elements, where one stripe extends beyond the induction coil area and another marks its diameter, applied on the glass ceramic cover plate, combined with a pot detection system that activates coils partially or fully covered by pots, ensuring precise pot placement and maximum power transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a plurality of small induction coils are arranged as a matrix below the glass ceramic panel, then the pot detection system can identify coils covered by a pot, but if the bottom area of the pot is equal to or smaller than the areas of the induction coils, then the pot may only cover small parts of neighboured induction coils, causing the pot detection system to fail to recognize the pot or activate too many coils
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking surface is divided into multiple cooking zones, each associated with one or more induction coils. The identification symbol is segmented into a first element and a second element, where the first element indicates the cooking zone and the second element indicates the induction coil area. This segmentation allows the system to provide different levels of guidance for pots of different sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the identification symbol serve different functions: the first element (cross) provides general zone identification for larger pots, while the second element (circle) provides precise coil boundary identification for smaller pots. This local differentiation of function allows the same identification system to adapt to various pot sizes.
2Productivity
If the bottom area of the pot is bigger than the areas of the induction coils, then the concept works efficiently, but if the bottom area of the pot is equal as or smaller than the areas of the induction coils, then either the pot detection system does not recognize the pot or the area of the activated induction coils is much bigger than the bottom area of the pot
Solution Approach 1:
The identification symbol is applied on the glass ceramic panel before the cooking process begins, providing advance visual guidance to the user about the cooking zone and induction coil boundaries. This preliminary visual information allows users to position pots correctly before activation, ensuring reliable detection and efficient heating from the start.
3Ease of operation
If an identification symbol is a small cross above the centre of the central induction coil or a ring arranged concentrically to the induction coil, then it marks the cooking zone, but an exact arrangement of cooking pots is not possible when the bottom area of the pot is bigger than the dimension of the identification symbol
Solution Approach 1:
The identification symbol transitions from a two-dimensional concept (small cross or ring) to a more comprehensive visual system with multiple elements at different scales. The first element (cross) provides coarse positioning, while the second element (circle) provides fine positioning boundaries, creating a multi-scale guidance system that works for both small and large pots.
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
Enables accurate placement and efficient power transfer for small pots by clearly indicating the induction coil area and activating corresponding coils, even when the pot's bottom area is marginally larger or smaller than the coil, allowing for concentric arrangement and optimal heating.
Implementation Method 1
The induction coils are arranged below a cooking surface
Implementation Method 2
a control unit of the cooking hob activates those induction coils
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to an induction cooking hob (10) with a plurality of induction coils (16). The induction cooking hob (10) comprises a cooking surface (12) and a control unit. The cooking surface (12) includes a cover plate. The induction coils (16) are arranged side-by-side according to a predetermined scheme and below the cover plate. At least one induction coil (16) is marked by an identification symbol (18). The identification symbol (18) includes a first element (20) and a second element (22), wherein the first element (20) extends beyond the diameter of the corresponding induction coil (16) and the second element (22) marks the diameter of said induction coil (16).