Induction Hob Protection Assembly Using Current Gradient Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Induction hobs tend to overheat during high-temperature cooking, leading to potential breakage or damage, especially with materials like sintered stone, where the increased thickness results in delayed temperature detection and intervention by control systems.
Innovation Solution
A protection assembly for induction hobs that includes a control unit with a current measuring device to detect current intensity gradients and interrupt or reduce power supply before the hob reaches critical temperature, using algorithms to adjust power based on cooking conditions and types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the hob is made of sintered stone with increased thickness to provide mechanical strength, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the temperature detection is delayed and the risk of overheating damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is configured to interrupt or reduce the electric power supply to the inductor before the hob reaches its critical temperature. By detecting current intensity gradients and anticipating thermal buildup, the system takes preliminary protective action that prevents overheating damage even in thick sintered stone hobs where temperature sensors would be delayed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the current intensity gradient from the inductor and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the power supply. The control unit compares the measured gradient against threshold values and automatically modulates or interrupts power delivery, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to real-time thermal conditions without relying on delayed temperature sensors.
2Reliability
If a removable protective element is placed between the hob and cooking elements to prevent overheating, then the protection is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The induction hob performs its own protection through an integrated control system that automatically monitors current gradients and adjusts power supply in real-time. The system serves its protective function without requiring external removable elements, eliminating the need for users to install or remove protective accessories while maintaining reliable overheating protection.
3Productivity
If the hob operates at high temperatures for extended periods, then the cooking performance is improved, but the risk of overheating damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the electric power supply to the inductor based on real-time current intensity gradient measurements. During high-temperature cooking, the system can modulate power delivery to maintain optimal cooking temperatures while preventing thermal buildup that would damage the hob, enabling extended high-performance cooking without compromising durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the electrical parameters (current intensity, power supply level) based on the thermal conditions detected through current gradient measurement. By continuously adjusting these electrical parameters, the hob can operate at high temperatures for extended periods when needed while automatically reducing power to prevent dangerous thermal accumulation, thus maintaining both cooking performance and durability.
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
Effectively prevents overheating and subsequent damage, allowing safe high-temperature cooking and passing performance tests without the need for removable protective elements, suitable for various types of induction hobs including those made of sintered stone like Lapitec®.
Implementation Method 1
The electromagnetic field in turn generates induced currents which cause heating of the bottom of the saucepans or frying pans by means of the Joule effect
Implementation Method 2
The inductors are positioned underneath the bottom surface of the hob at the respective cooking areas; the cooking elements containing the food to be cooked, namely, the saucepans or frying pans, are supported on the top surface of the hob at the cooking areas. The bottoms of the saucepans or frying pans are made of ferromagnetic material so that the electric powering of the inductors generates an electromagnetic field inside them.
Implementation Method 3
The electromagnetic field in turn generates induced currents which cause heating of the bottom of the saucepans or frying pans by means of the Joule effect
Implementation Method 4
the hob, in particular the areas of the hob in contact with the cooking elements, tends to overheat as a result of thermal conduction
Data Source
AI summary
Protection assembly (10) for preventing overheating of induction hobs (1) comprising at least one inductor (4) located underneath a cooking area (6) of the hobs (1). the assembly (10) comprising at least one electric power supplier (8) for the electrically powering the at least one inductor (4) and a control unit (11) connected to the at least one power supplier (8). The control unit (11) is configured to determine at least one value (V) of the intensity gradient of the current over time which supplies the at least one inductor (4). to compare the value (V) of the current intensity gradient over time with a threshold value (VSET) of the current intensity gradient over time and to interrupt or reduce the electric power supply to the at least one inductor (4) if the value (V) of the current intensity gradient is lower than the threshold value (VSET). The invention also relates to an induction hob (1) comprising the protection assembly (10) and to a protection method for preventing overheating of induction hobs (1).