Induction Cooking Hob With Directly Coupled Power And Control Boards

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing induction cooking hobs lack flexibility in design and require costly electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG) plating for dual-in line connectors, limiting modularity and increasing production costs.

Innovation Solution

Direct mechanical and electrical coupling of a power board and a control board with orthogonal substrate elements, eliminating the need for DIL connectors and allowing surface mounted devices to be shifted to the control board, using cheaper materials like CEM1 for the power board.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dual-in line connectors (DIL connectors) are used for mounting through hole mounted devices on the power board, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but costly electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG) plating is required, increasing production costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the connector function into two separate parts: the power board uses surface mounted devices (SMD) with simple soldering, while the control board carries the DIL connectors and through-hole components. This segmentation eliminates the need for expensive ENIG plating on the power board, as only the control board requires DIL connector mounting capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control board acts as an intermediary between the power board and the microcontroller/through-hole components. By placing DIL connectors on the control board rather than the power board, the system mediates the connection requirements, allowing the power board to use cost-effective SMD technology while maintaining reliable electrical connections through the control board interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If all components are integrated on a single power board, then device functionality is complete, but the overall dimensions and area of the power board increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidpower board area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the electronic system into two functional boards: a power board optimized for power electronics and SMD components, and a control board handling control electronics and DIL connectors. This segmentation allows each board to be minimized in size for its specific function, reducing the total area compared to a single large integrated board.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single-plane integration approach to a multi-board three-dimensional arrangement. By stacking or positioning the control board adjacent to the power board, the system achieves complete functionality while utilizing vertical or lateral space efficiently, thereby reducing the footprint area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If the design uses a fixed configuration with through-hole mounted devices on the power board, then manufacturing is straightforward, but modularity and flexibility for different control functionality are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidmodularity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates modular functionality by placing DIL connectors and control components on a separate control board that can be independently configured. This allows different types of control boards to be paired with the same power board design, enhancing modularity while keeping the power board manufacturing simple and standardized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power board is designed with universal mounting features and standardized SMD layouts that can work with multiple types of control boards. This universality allows the same power board to support different control functionalities by simply changing the control board, thereby achieving both manufacturing simplicity and design flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Area of stationary object

If surface mounted device (SMD) components are arranged on the power board, then compact layout is achieved, but redesign becomes difficult when microcontroller types need to be changed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayout compactnessVSAvoidredesign difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the SMD components into two groups: power-related SMDs remain on the power board for compact layout, while control-related components (including microcontrollers) are moved to the control board. This segmentation allows independent redesign of the control board without affecting the power board layout, thereby reducing redesign difficulty while maintaining compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a dynamic design architecture where the control board can be independently modified or replaced based on microcontroller availability or functionality requirements. This dynamic separation allows the SMD layout on the power board to remain fixed and optimized, while the control board adapts to different component types without requiring overall redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4090133B1Induction cooking hob having two board elements electrically and mechanically coupled to each other

Publication Date: 2025.10.15 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES

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AI summary

Induction cooking hob comprising at least one first board element (18) and at least one second board element (16), wherein the first board element (18) and at least one second board element (16) each comprise at least one or more electrical and/or electronical component(s), wherein the first board element(18) is electrically coupled to the second board element (16) and wherein the first board element (18) is directly mechanically coupled to the second board element (16).