Induction Hob Power Distribution for Cooking Vessel Conflicts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hob technologies face challenges in efficiently managing conflicts between multiple cooking vessels on shared heating devices, leading to uneven heating, potential burning, and excessive warning messages, due to the inability to accurately distribute power and maintain even heat distribution.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a hob with induction heating coils that calculates actual power based on relative coverage and user settings, adjusting power density to ensure uniform heating and prevent overheating by prioritizing the cooking vessel with higher relative coverage, while providing feedback to the operator for adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple cooking vessels are placed on shared heating devices to increase cooking capacity, then the productivity and versatility of the hob is improved, but conflicts occur in power distribution leading to uneven heating and potential burning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating power distribution to different heating zones based on their specific coverage by cooking vessels. Each heating device receives a customized power density calculation that considers the relative coverage area of each cooking vessel, ensuring that each zone receives appropriate heating power tailored to its local conditions rather than applying a uniform power distribution across all heating devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power density parameter dynamically based on the configuration of cooking vessels. The control unit calculates and adjusts the power density for each heating device according to the relative coverage areas, transforming the power distribution from a fixed parameter to a variable parameter that adapts to the specific cooking scenario, thereby resolving conflicts in power distribution.
2Productivity
If power density is increased to heat cooking vessels more efficiently, then the productivity is improved, but hotspots are created causing food to burn
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by preemptively calculating and limiting the power density for each heating device based on the relative coverage area before heating begins. The control unit determines the maximum safe power density that prevents hotspot formation while still providing efficient heating, counteracting the potential harmful effect of overheating before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the power distribution and adjusting it based on the calculated relative coverage areas. The control unit uses the coverage information to regulate power density in real-time, ensuring that each heating device operates at an optimal power level that maintains heating efficiency without creating dangerous hotspots.
3Device complexity
If simple power distribution rules are applied to resolve conflicts, then the device complexity is reduced, but heating homogeneity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the hob's control unit to automatically calculate and resolve power distribution conflicts without user intervention. The system independently determines the relative coverage areas of cooking vessels and autonomously adjusts power density for each heating device, eliminating the need for manual conflict resolution while maintaining heating homogeneity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to maintain heating homogeneity while keeping control simple. By dynamically adjusting the power density parameter based on calculated coverage areas, the system achieves precise heat distribution without requiring complex user input or manual intervention, allowing the parameter to adapt automatically to different cooking configurations.
4Reliability
If power is reduced to avoid hotspots, then safety is improved, but heating efficiency and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing customized power density to each heating device based on its specific coverage by cooking vessels. Instead of uniformly reducing power across all heating devices, the system calculates and applies appropriate power levels locally to each zone, ensuring safety in areas with high coverage while maintaining efficient heating in areas with lower coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to optimize the power density for each heating device individually. By adjusting the power parameter based on relative coverage area calculations, the system maintains safe operating levels that prevent hotspots while preserving heating efficiency, transforming power distribution from a uniform reduced level to optimized variable levels.
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 effectively manages conflicts by ensuring even heat distribution, preventing overheating, and reducing unnecessary warning messages, allowing for efficient and safe cooking across multiple cooking vessels on shared heating devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first target power value P_TI,1 or a second target power value P_TI,2 is or are specified for a first cooking vessel (101, 102), with which the first cooking vessel (101, 102) is to be heated by means of at least one of the heating devices (15, 25) that is covered by the first cooking vessel (101, 102)
Implementation Method 2
The hob has several induction heating coils arranged side by side and one behind the other in a heating area as heating devices
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
In a method for operating an induction cooktop with several induction heating coils arranged side-by-side and one behind the other in a heating zone, target power values are specified for the cookware to be heated. If two cookware pieces at least partially cover a single induction heating coil and their target power values differ, the relative coverage of this shared induction heating coil by the cookware pieces is checked. Based on this, an actual power output of the shared induction heating coil is determined for its actual operation, corresponding to an actual power output value lower than the higher of the two target power values, so that at least one of the two cookware pieces is heated by the shared heating element at a different target power output than the one specified for that cookware piece.