Induction Hob Phase Control for Shared Pot Power Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Full-surface induction hobs face challenges in accurately regulating power supply when multiple pots share inductors, as existing methods often require compromising on power levels, leading to suboptimal cooking results.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts the phase position of inductor currents relative to adjacent inductors, allowing for precise control of energy input by altering the magnetic field alignment, in addition to power adjustments, to ensure optimal energy delivery matching user-specified power levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pots share one or more inductors on a full-surface induction hob, then the cooking surface can be optimally utilized and improved comfort is achieved, but the power supply regulation becomes problematic and exact compliance with specified power levels cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The inductor group is segmented into multiple individually controllable inductors, each capable of receiving independent control signals with different power levels. This allows each inductor to be precisely controlled even when multiple pots share the same inductor group, resolving the contradiction between versatile cooking surface utilization and precise power level regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of individual inductors within a group by assigning different power levels to each inductor based on the specific cooking vessel placed on it. This parameter differentiation enables precise power control for each pot while maintaining full-surface induction capability, thus resolving the power level accuracy issue.
2Ease of operation
If one power level is increased or decreased to accommodate shared inductors, then a compromise solution is achieved, but optimal cooking results cannot be obtained because exact power levels are not complied with
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power level of each inductor individually based on real-time detection of cooking vessels and user specifications. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain exact power level compliance for each pot without compromising cooking results, eliminating the need for static compromise solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors the power levels supplied to each inductor and adjusts them to match the user-specified power levels. This feedback loop ensures that exact power compliance is maintained for each cooking vessel, thereby ensuring reliable and optimal cooking results.
3Device complexity
If an inductor is operated at a single power level, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide precise power control for multiple pots sharing the same inductor is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Each inductor within the group is designed to perform multiple functions by accepting different power level commands for different cooking vessels. This multi-functionality allows a single inductor to serve multiple pots with different power requirements, maintaining device simplicity while achieving precise power control through software-based differentiation.
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 enables precise adherence to user-set power levels, optimizing cooking results by providing a further degree of freedom in energy input adjustment, even when multiple pots share inductors, thereby improving power supply regulation.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of inductors (3) for heating cooking vessels (101, 102) placed on a work area (12) of the hob (2)
Implementation Method 2
heating cooking vessels (101, 102) placed on a work area (12) of the hob (2)
Implementation Method 3
a phase position is used to adapt an energy input into at least one of the cooking vessels (101, 102) for a given inductor power an inductor current of at least one of the inductors (3) of the inductor group is adjusted by at least one phase influencing device (5)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for operating a cooktop device (1) and a cooktop device (1) with which such a method can be carried out. The cooktop device (1) has a cooktop (2) with a plurality of inductors (3) for heating cooking vessels (101, 102) placed on a working area (12) of the cooktop (2). The plurality of inductors (3) comprises an inductor group (30) with a first inductor (13), a second inductor (23), and a third inductor (33). The inductors (3) currently covered by cooking vessels (101, 102) are registered by a detection device (4) and assigned to the cooking vessels (101, 102).If the first inductor (13) is assigned to a first cooking vessel (101) and the second inductor (23) is assigned to a second cooking vessel (102) and the third inductor (33) is simultaneously covered by the first cooking vessel (101) and the second cooking vessel (102), in order to adapt an energy input into one of the cooking vessels (101, 102) at a given inductor power, a phase angle of an inductor current (16) from one of the inductors (3) of the inductor group (30) is set by a phase control device (5) relative to a phase angle of an adjacent inductor (3).