Induction Hob Pot Detection with Automatic Mode Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing induction cooking hobs with pot detection devices require users to reconfigure settings after automatic shutdown due to removed cooking vessels, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
The induction cooking hob automatically switches off cooking zones after a predetermined time if a vessel is removed, stores the last cooking mode, and allows users to restart in the same mode via a user interface, deactivating the pot detection for switched-off zones and reactivating it upon restart.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the cooking hob automatically switches off the cooking zone when the cooking vessel is removed, then energy consumption is reduced and safety is improved, but the user has to reconfigure settings and the cooking process must be restarted
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit stores the cooking mode parameters (temperature, power level, timer settings) in memory when the cooking zone is switched off. This preliminary storage of configuration data allows the system to automatically restore the exact previous cooking state without requiring the user to reconfigure settings, thus maintaining ease of operation while achieving energy savings through automatic shutdown.
2Reliability
If the cooking hob automatically switches off the cooking zone when the cooking vessel is removed, then safety is improved, but the cooking parameters need to be manually reconfigured
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically retrieving and restoring the stored cooking mode parameters when the user wants to restart cooking. The control unit automatically reconfigures the cooking zone with the previously saved settings (temperature, power, timer) without requiring manual user input, thus maintaining simplicity of operation while ensuring safety through automatic shutdown functionality.
3Measurement precision
If the pot detection device is activated continuously to detect cooking vessel removal, then detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pot detection device operates periodically rather than continuously. The control unit activates the detection function at specific moments (when cooking zone is switched on or manually restarted) and deactivates it during automatic shutdown periods. This periodic operation maintains detection accuracy when needed while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An induction cooking hob with a pot detection device. The hob includes a cooking surface having cooking areas and/or cooking zones. The hob includes a user interface having a switch element and a display. The hob includes a control unit for controlling the cooking area(s) and/or the cooking zone(s). The pot detection device checks, if a cooking vessel is placed on the cooking area(s) and/or cooking zone(s). The control unit switches off the cooking area(s) and/or cooking zone(s), if the pot detection device has identified that the cooking vessel has been removed from the cooking area(s) and/or the cooking zone(s). The control unit stores a cooking mode of the cooking area(s) and/or cooking zone(s), which have been switched off. The display indicates that the cooking area(s) and/or cooking zone(s) have been switched off. The switch element restarts the cooking area(s) and/or cooking zone(s) in the same cooking mode.