Induction Hob Control Unit Iterative Flicker Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cooking appliances, particularly induction hobs, face challenges in maintaining network compliance and reducing flicker parameters to adhere to legal and standard limits, while also minimizing intermodulation noise and ensuring consistent heating power delivery.

Innovation Solution

A cooking appliance device with at least two heating frequency units and a control unit that iteratively adjusts the flicker parameter by dividing time intervals, operating the heating frequency units with different output powers and frequencies, and adapting duty cycles to maintain selected heating power levels, thereby reducing flicker and intermodulation noise below specified limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If heating frequency units are operated with high output power to meet heating demands, then heating efficiency is improved, but flicker parameter increases and network compliance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidflicker parameter
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by dividing the time interval into multiple sub-intervals and operating heating frequency units with different output powers in each sub-interval. This periodic modulation of power output reduces the flicker parameter while maintaining overall heating efficiency, as the average power delivery remains high while peak fluctuations are controlled to comply with network standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamics by iteratively adjusting the output power of heating frequency units based on calculated flicker parameters. The control unit dynamically modifies operating parameters such as duty cycles and frequencies across sub-intervals, creating an adaptive system that optimizes both heating performance and flicker reduction in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If heating frequency units operate continuously at constant power to ensure stable heating, then heating consistency is improved, but intermodulation noise increases and network compliance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating consistencyVSAvoidintermodulation noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the continuous time interval into multiple discrete sub-intervals and operating different heating frequency units in each sub-interval. This segmentation allows the system to vary operating frequencies and power levels across sub-intervals, reducing intermodulation noise while maintaining overall heating consistency through controlled average power delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses periodic action by implementing alternating operation patterns where heating frequency units are switched on and off in different sub-intervals with varying frequencies. This periodic modulation eliminates continuous constant-power operation, thereby reducing intermodulation noise while the iterative control maintains heating consistency by adjusting duty cycles to achieve target average power levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Power

If multiple heating frequency units are operated simultaneously at high power to meet total heating demand, then total heating output is improved, but flicker parameter increases and network compliance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetotal heating outputVSAvoidflicker parameter
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the operation of multiple heating frequency units across different time sub-intervals rather than operating all units simultaneously at full power. This temporal segmentation allows the system to achieve high total heating output through coordinated alternating operation while controlling peak power fluctuations that cause flicker, ensuring network compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamics by iteratively adjusting the power output and operating parameters of multiple heating frequency units based on calculated flicker parameters. The control unit dynamically allocates power distribution across units and sub-intervals, optimizing total heating output while reducing flicker through adaptive control of duty cycles and frequencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Ensures network compliance, reduces perceivable light intensity fluctuations, and minimizes inaudible intermodulation noise, allowing for consistent and efficient heating power delivery while adhering to legal standards.

Implementation Method 1

A heating unit is intended to mean, in particular, a unit that is intended to at least partially convert electrical energy into heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

the heating unit comprises a radiant heater, a resistance heater and/or preferably an induction heater, which is intended to convert electrical energy into heat indirectly via induced eddy currents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 3

the control unit is intended to iteratively reduce a flicker parameter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIterative control: Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2469972B1Cooking device and method of controlling the cooking device which diminish in an iterative manner a flicker characteristic.
Publication Date: 2017.05.03 BOSCH SIEMENS HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2469972B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2469972B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2469972B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The cooking appliance device has Heinz-frequency units. A control unit adjusts a respective average output power of Heinz-frequency units to reduce a flicker characteristic quantity iteratively. An independent claim is included for method for controlling cooking appliance device.