Induction Hob Control Grouping Heating Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hob control systems with multiple heating elements are complex and prone to errors, particularly when dealing with partially covered heating elements, as they require individual control of each element's heat output, leading to increased complexity and potential losses due to destructive interference.
Innovation Solution
A control unit that uses the total heat output of a group of heating elements as a controlled variable, simplifying the control process by regulating all elements in the same ratio and avoiding explicit control of partially covered elements, which automatically adjust their power consumption based on their coverage fraction, and using a single control loop for total heating power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual heat output control is applied to each heating element, then precise temperature control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of multiple heating elements into a single group-controlled system. Instead of independently controlling each heating element's heat output, the system assigns heating elements to groups and controls the total heat output of each group as a single entity. This reduces the number of control loops from N (for N heating elements) to M (for M groups), significantly simplifying the control system while maintaining effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed to universally control multiple heating elements within a group using a single control loop. The group control mechanism can be applied to any number of heating elements assigned to a group, making the control system adaptable and versatile rather than requiring dedicated control circuitry for each individual element.
2Manufacturing precision
If explicit control is applied to partially covered heating elements, then heating precision is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where partially covered heating elements automatically adjust their power consumption based on their coverage fraction. The system detects the coverage status of each heating element and allows partially covered elements to self-regulate their heat output without requiring explicit control algorithms. This eliminates the need for complex control logic to manually adjust each partially covered element while maintaining heating precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent control loops are used for each heating element, then individual element control is achieved, but error probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent control loops into fewer group-level control loops. By assigning multiple heating elements to groups and controlling each group's total heat output with a single control loop, the system reduces the total number of control loops from N to M. This merging reduces the probability of control errors while maintaining the ability to adaptively control heating zones through group assignments.
4Measurement precision
If heating frequency is adjusted for each element individually, then power regulation precision is improved, but energy loss due to destructive interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent synchronizes the heating frequency control across heating elements within the same group. By controlling the total heat output of the group rather than adjusting each element's frequency independently, the system ensures that heating elements operating at the same frequency do not create destructive interference patterns. This group-level frequency synchronization maintains power regulation precision while eliminating energy losses from interference.
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 approach simplifies the control of multiple heating elements, reduces errors, and ensures homogeneous temperature distribution by compensating for radiation losses, while avoiding destructive interference and allowing for flexible control of heating zones.
Implementation Method 1
The heating elements (10) are inductive heating elements
Implementation Method 2
The heating elements (10) are induction heating elements
Implementation Method 3
Losses due to destructive interference can be avoided if the control unit (12) is designed to change a heating frequency of the induction heating elements simultaneously
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooking surface having a plurality of heating elements (10) and a control unit (12) designed to assign a plurality of the heating elements (10) to a group (14) and to regulate the heating power of the heating elements (10) at a prescribed target power. In order to provide a generic cooking surface and a method for operating a cooking surface, having a simplified and less error-prone controller, the invention proposes that the control unit (12) be provided to use a characteristic value for a total heating power generated for one of all the heating elements (10) associated with the group (14), and to compare said value to a prescribed target power for the entire group (14).