Induction Hob Variable Cooking Surface Perpendicular Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing induction hob devices lack flexibility and cost-effectiveness in accommodating varying cooking utensils, particularly large ones, due to fixed cooking surface areas and limited adjustability.
Innovation Solution
A hob device with a variable cooking surface area defined by multiple elongated heating elements, including one additional heating unit oriented perpendicular to the others, allowing for flexible arrangement and control based on operating parameters to optimize heat distribution and accommodate diverse utensil sizes without increasing the number of heating elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heating elements are arranged in fixed cooking zones, then the cooking surface area is well-defined and controllable, but the flexibility to accommodate varying utensil sizes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the cooking surface area dynamically adjustable through selective activation of heating elements. The control unit can individually switch heating elements on or off based on the size and position of the cooking utensil, transforming a static cooking surface into a dynamic one that adapts to different utensil dimensions without requiring physical reconfiguration of the heating elements themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a single cooking zone that can serve multiple functions - accommodating small, medium, and large cooking utensils through different combinations of activated heating elements. The further heating unit positioned between existing heating elements enables the same cooking zone to universally handle various utensil sizes, eliminating the need for separate dedicated zones for each utensil type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cooking surface area is increased to accommodate large utensils, then the adaptability to different utensil sizes improves, but the cost and complexity of adding more heating elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dimensionality change principle by strategically positioning the further heating unit in the transverse direction between existing heating elements, rather than simply extending the cooking surface in the longitudinal direction. This perpendicular arrangement allows the system to achieve increased cooking surface area and adaptability to large utensils while utilizing the existing heating element layout, thereby avoiding proportional increases in cost and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements segmentation by dividing the cooking surface into multiple independently controllable heating elements, including the further heating unit. This segmentation allows the control unit to activate only the necessary heating elements for the current cooking task, enabling large utensils to be heated using combinations of elements without requiring all elements to be permanently active, thus managing complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Ease of operation
If heating elements are arranged to cover the entire cooking surface, then the heat distribution is uniform, but the flexibility to adjust cooking zones is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the local quality principle by enabling different heating elements to be activated based on local requirements - the control unit can selectively switch individual heating elements or combinations thereof on or off according to the size and position of the cooking utensil. This allows uniform heat distribution across the entire cooking surface when needed, while also providing flexibility to concentrate heating in specific local areas for smaller utensils, optimizing both heat distribution and operational flexibility.
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 design achieves a large, flexible cooking surface area at low cost, effectively heating utensils up to 300 mm in diameter with improved heat distribution and operator convenience, while avoiding significant increases in heating elements or units.
Implementation Method 1
a hob device (10a, 10b), in particular an induction hob device, with at least one variable cooking surface area (12a, 12b)
Implementation Method 2
The heating elements are designed as induction heating elements. In particular, the induction heating element is designed to convert electrical energy into an alternating magnetic field, which is designed to induce eddy currents and/or remagnetization effects in a metallic, preferably at least partially ferromagnetic, cooking utensil, which are converted into heat
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention proceeds from a stove top device (10a-b), particularly an induction stove top device, having at least one variable cooking surface region (12a-b), which is determined by an assembly of at least two elongate heating elements (14a-b), which are arranged adjacent in respect of at least one longitudinal axis (16a-b) of the heating elements (14a-b). In order to provide a device of the type in question having improved properties in respect of lower costs and/or high flexibility, according to the invention the stove top device (10a-b) comprises at least one additional elongate heating unit (18a-b), the longitudinal axis (20a-b) of which is aligned at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes (16a-b) of the heating elements (14a-b).