Induction Hob Cookware Assignment via Vibration Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for assigning cookware to induction heating devices are error-prone and insecure, lacking reliable methods for precise identification and secure assignment.

Innovation Solution

A system with a hob and cookware that uses a vibration sensor to detect specific temporal patterns of power generation from induction heating devices, allowing for secure assignment through wireless communication, where the cookware's vibration sensor recognizes patterns of power generation and sends corresponding signals to the hob control for precise cookware-induction heating device matching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If short pulses with specific coding are used for cookware assignment, then assignment can be achieved, but the method is error-prone and unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecookware assignment reliabilityVSAvoidcookware identification precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanical vibration by using structure-borne sound signals that cause the cookware to physically vibrate. The vibration sensor on the cookware detects these mechanical vibrations, creating a reliable physical connection and identification method that is difficult to spoof or error, directly resolving the reliability and precision issues with previous electromagnetic pulse-based methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces structure-borne sound as an intermediary medium between the induction heating device and the cookware. Instead of direct electromagnetic communication, the system uses mechanical vibrations transmitted through the cookware base as a mediator to carry identification signals, improving reliability by using a physical intermediary that is harder to interfere with

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If capacitive sensors are used to detect cookware placement, then placement detection is achieved, but position precision is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecookware position detection precisionVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration sensor acts as an intermediary that detects mechanical vibrations transmitted through the cookware, providing more precise position and identification information compared to capacitive sensors. This intermediary approach allows for better differentiation of cookware placement positions without requiring multiple complex sensor arrays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If temperature sensors in cookware are used for identification, then temperature data can be transmitted, but specific heating zone assignment is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecookware-heating zone assignment reliabilityVSAvoidspatial assignment information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

By using structure-borne sound vibrations that are specific to each heating zone's location, the system can identify which heating zone the cookware is placed on. The vibration pattern serves as spatial information that links the cookware to its specific heating zone, preventing loss of spatial assignment information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by having the vibration sensor detect vibrations and send this information back to the hob control. This feedback loop ensures that the hob control receives accurate information about cookware placement and can reliably assign the correct heating zone, maintaining spatial assignment information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 method significantly increases operational reliability by enabling clear identification and assignment of cookware to specific induction heating devices, ensuring accurate heating and reducing errors in cookware recognition.

Implementation Method 1

The cookware is to be inductively heated on the hob

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

method for operating the system, specifically for inductively heating the cookware with the hob

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 3

The cookware has a vibration sensor for detecting vibrations on the cookware

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration detection: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3860307B1System with a cooking hob and cookware and method for operating the system
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 E G O ELEKTRO GERAETEBAU GMBH
  • EP3860307B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3860307B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3860307B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a system comprising a cooktop and cookware to be heated on it. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for inductively heating the cookware using the cooktop. The cookware has a cookware control unit that is to be linked to an induction heating element of the cooktop, as well as a vibration sensor to detect a specific, predetermined temporal pattern of power generation at the induction heating element. This pattern is precisely assigned to this induction heating element. Information about this is transmitted wirelessly from the cookware control unit to the cooktop control unit, which then performs the assignment of the cookware and the induction heating element.