Induction Hob Control Unit Calibrates Cookware Temperature via Electrical Parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing induction hobs struggle to reliably determine the temperature of cooking utensils with unknown thermal properties without complex sensors, which can lead to inaccurate temperature control and potential overheating.
Innovation Solution
An induction hob with a control unit that runs a partially automated calibration program to determine thermal parameters by using electrical parameters, allowing for the identification and calibration of cooking utensils, even those with unknown thermal properties, using a function dependent on sensor temperature and specific thermal parameters, and storing these parameters for future use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a temperature sensor is used to determine cooking utensil temperature, then temperature control can be achieved, but the system cannot reliably determine temperature for utensils with unknown thermal properties
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes from directly measuring temperature to measuring electrical parameters (impedance, inductance, resistance) that characterize the cooking utensil. By calibrating these electrical parameters against known thermal properties, the system can determine temperature for any utensil type without requiring direct temperature sensing of the utensil itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary calibration process that links electrical parameters to thermal properties. Instead of directly measuring utensil temperature, the system uses the cooking vessel as an intermediary - measuring its electrical characteristics and using calibrated relationships to infer temperature, thereby solving the problem of unknown thermal properties.
2Measurement precision
If complex sensors are used to determine cooking utensil temperature, then accurate temperature control can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical/thermal sensing systems with electrical measurement systems. Instead of using complex temperature sensors that directly contact the cooking utensil, the system uses electrical impedance, inductance, and resistance measurements through the induction heating element to infer temperature, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an electrical 'copy' or model of the cooking utensil's thermal behavior through calibration. By measuring electrical parameters and using pre-calibrated relationships, the system replicates temperature determination functionality without physically contacting or directly sensing the utensil, simplifying the overall system.
3Reliability
If calibration is performed for every cooking utensil, then accurate temperature control is achieved, but time is lost and user intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration automatically using the cooking utensil's own electrical characteristics. The control unit measures impedance, inductance, and resistance parameters and automatically determines thermal properties through pre-programmed calibration algorithms, eliminating the need for manual user intervention and reducing calibration time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary calibration data storage for multiple cooking utensil types. The system pre-stores calibration relationships between electrical and thermal parameters for various utensil types, allowing rapid automatic identification and calibration without requiring time-consuming manual procedures each time a utensil is used.
4Productivity
If electrical parameters are used to identify cooking utensils, then quick identification is achieved, but reliable temperature determination requires additional thermal parameter calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the identification and calibration processes into a unified system. Electrical parameter measurements (impedance, inductance, resistance) serve dual purposes: both identifying the cooking utensil type and providing the basis for determining thermal properties through integrated calibration algorithms, thereby achieving both quick identification and reliable temperature determination without separate complex systems.
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 reliable and unambiguous identification of cooking utensils, preventing unnecessary recalibration and ensuring safe temperature control by using electrical parameters as a 'fingerprint' for quick identification and precise thermal modeling, thus avoiding complex sensors and user intervention uncertainties.
Implementation Method 1
Induction hob with at least one induction heating element
Implementation Method 2
heating element (10) for heating a cooking utensil element (18)
Implementation Method 3
at least one temperature sensor (12) for determining a sensor temperature (14)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an induction hob with at least one induction heating element (10) and at least one temperature sensor (12) for determining a sensor temperature (14), as well as with a control unit (16) for identifying a cookware element (18) by means of at least one electrical characteristic parameter (R, L, RF) of the cookware element (18), wherein the control unit (16) for determining a cookware temperature (20) of the cookware element (18) uses a function (26) which depends at least on the sensor temperature (14) and on at least one thermal parameter (Tpot, TGlass) specific to the cookware element (18).In order to enable a reliable determination of the cookware temperature (20) even for cookware elements (18) with unknown thermal properties without complex sensors, it is proposed that the control unit (16) be designed to execute at least a semi-automated calibration program (22) to determine the thermal parameter (Tpot, TGlass) and to assign the thermal parameter (Tpot, TGlass) to the electrical characteristic (R, L, RF).