Induction Hob Micro-Inverter Assemblies for Flexible Cooking Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Induction cooking hobs with a large number of induction coils require a significant increase in system cost due to the need for multiple high-frequency inverters, making them economically unviable for widespread market adoption.
Innovation Solution
The induction cooking hob is organized into assemblies of micro-inverters, with each assembly sharing a common rectifying circuit and a control system that determines power characteristics and synchronizes the operation of inductors to deliver the requested power efficiently, allowing for a single current sensor and reducing the number of active inductors at any given time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of induction coils are used to create a flexible induction cooktop, then the cooking area flexibility is improved, but the system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple micro-inverters are merged into assemblies that share a common rectifying circuit and control system. Each assembly contains multiple micro-inverters (e.g., 3-6) that can independently drive their associated induction coils, while sharing the rectifier and control resources, thereby reducing overall system cost while maintaining flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to universally manage multiple micro-inverters within each assembly, allowing a single control unit to coordinate the operation of multiple induction coils through shared control resources, reducing the need for separate dedicated control circuits for each coil
2Productivity
If multiple high-frequency inverters are used to supply each induction coil, then the cooking performance is improved, but the acoustic noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements periodic switching of micro-inverters within an assembly, activating them in sequence rather than simultaneously. This periodic operation allows the acoustic noise from multiple inverters to cancel out through phase cancellation, reducing overall noise while maintaining cooking performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of micro-inverters based on cooking requirements, activating only the necessary number of inverters at any given time. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain optimal cooking performance while minimizing acoustic noise by avoiding simultaneous operation of all inverters
3Device complexity
If the number of micro-inverters is reduced to lower system cost, then the system cost is reduced, but the ability to deliver high power is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple micro-inverters are pre-configured within each assembly and ready for simultaneous or sequential operation. When high power is required, the control system activates multiple micro-inverters within the same assembly to deliver the necessary power, while during normal operation only one or a few are active to reduce cost and noise
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting the number of active micro-inverters based on power requirements. The control system can dynamically scale the power output by activating different combinations of micro-inverters, allowing the system to adapt between low-power and high-power modes while maintaining cost-effectiveness
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 reduces system costs, minimizes acoustic noise, and enhances electrical efficiency by optimizing inductor design and synchronization, enabling a more economical and efficient induction cooking experience.
Implementation Method 1
micro-inverters supplied by a common rectifying circuit
Implementation Method 2
micro-inverters... capable to generate high frequency current to be supplied to induction coils
Implementation Method 3
induction coils... capable to generate electromagnetic fields
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for operating an induction cooking hob comprising a plurality of inductors in association with induction resonant inverters operating in load-dependent frequency ranges comprises a simultaneous activation of inductors, in at least one phase of the control period, independently from their association to an overlying cooking utensil but only according to at least partial overlapping of associated operating frequency ranges.