Induction Hob Parallel Inductor Circuit for Pot Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing induction hobs are limited in their ability to efficiently operate large-area cooking zones and accurately detect pot occupancy, leading to inefficient energy use and limited flexibility in heating different-sized vessels.
Innovation Solution
An induction hob with a circuit arrangement featuring two inductors connected in parallel and a current measuring element in series, allowing for energy-efficient operation and precise detection of pot occupancy using a component-reduced circuit concept, where three inductors can be arranged next to each other with separate driver circuits for independent activation and deactivation, enabling a large heatable area and flexible heating of individual sub-zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple inductors are used to heat large-area cooking zones, then the heating area is increased, but the energy efficiency decreases due to inability to selectively heat only occupied areas
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking zone is divided into multiple independent sub-zones, each with its own inductor that can be individually activated or deactivated based on pot occupancy detection. This segmentation allows only the necessary heating areas to be activated, improving energy efficiency while maintaining large overall cooking area capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts which inductors are active based on real-time pot occupancy detection. The driver circuits can independently control each inductor's operation state, allowing the heating configuration to adapt to the actual cooking needs and improve energy efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate driver circuits are used for each inductor to enable independent control, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple inductors share a single current measuring element for pot occupancy detection. This current measuring element serves all inductors universally, reducing the need for separate detection circuits for each inductor and thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining independent control capability through separate driver circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection function is merged into a single shared current measuring element that serves multiple inductors. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall circuit architecture while the separate driver circuits maintain the adaptability for independent control.
3Device complexity
If a single current measuring element is shared among multiple inductors, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision for detecting pot occupancy position may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking zone is segmented into distinct sub-zones, each associated with a specific inductor. When the shared current measuring element detects a change in current, the system can determine which specific inductor's sub-zone contains a pot by identifying which inductor is currently active. This segmentation allows precise localization of pot occupancy even with a single shared measuring element.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the separate driver circuits to know which inductor is currently active. When the shared current measuring element detects a current change, the known active inductor state provides contextual information that enables precise determination of pot occupancy position, compensating for the lack of multiple independent measuring elements.
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 configuration allows for efficient energy use by only heating occupied areas, ensuring even heating of large vessels and precise detection of pot position, thereby optimizing energy efficiency and heating performance.
Implementation Method 1
An induction hob with a circuit arrangement featuring two inductors connected in parallel... allowing for energy-efficient operation and precise detection of pot occupancy
Implementation Method 2
Each cooking zone considered individually is heated by a heating element which is arranged under a support plate of the hob... hobs are known in which a cooking zone can be heated by a plurality of heating units running one inside the other, which are designed, for example, as circular heating coils or induction coils
Implementation Method 3
A current measuring element is connected in series with the parallel circuit... enabling precise detection of pot occupancy using a component-reduced circuit concept
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to an induction hob having a circuit arrangement (7) for operating a cooking zone (6) of the induction hob (1), the said circuit arrangement having a parallel circuit (20, 21), in which two inductors (6a to 6d) are connected in parallel, wherein a current measuring element (22, 23) is connected in series with the parallel circuit (20, 21) and an apparatus (16) for identifying that at least one cooking zone section (61, 62) of the cooking zone (6) is occupied by a preparation vessel (17, 18) is formed, the said apparatus having the current measuring element (22, 23). The invention also relates to a method for operating a hob.