Induction Hob Sensor Grid Coarse Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Induction cooktops with sensor devices for detecting cookware face high energy consumption and computing power demands due to simultaneous activation of all sensor elements during standby mode, leading to inefficient energy use and prolonged scanning times.
Innovation Solution
Implement a control unit that activates sensor elements in a coarse-meshed grid sequence for initial detection, followed by high-resolution scanning only around detected cookware, reducing energy consumption and computational resources by avoiding unnecessary high-resolution scanning of empty areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all sensor elements are activated simultaneously for cookware detection, then detection reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor grid is divided into multiple groups, and sensor elements are activated in a time-multiplexed sequence rather than simultaneously. This segmentation approach maintains detection reliability by systematically scanning all sensors while reducing energy consumption by activating only a subset of sensors at any given moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor elements are activated periodically in a time sequence through multiple detection steps. The control unit cycles through different groups of sensor elements, activating them in alternating phases. This periodic activation pattern ensures that all sensors are eventually used for detection while distributing energy consumption over time rather than concentrating it in a single simultaneous activation event.
2Reliability
If all sensor elements are activated simultaneously for cookware detection, then detection completeness is improved, but computing power demand increases
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation process is segmented into multiple detection steps corresponding to different groups of sensor elements. By processing sensor data in sequential batches rather than all at once, the computing load is distributed over time, reducing peak computing power demands while maintaining complete detection coverage across the entire sensor grid.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs periodic evaluation of sensor signals in a time sequence, matching the periodic activation pattern. This staged evaluation approach processes data from activated sensor groups in alternating phases, ensuring complete detection coverage while managing computational resources efficiently by avoiding simultaneous processing of all sensor data.
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution scanning is performed across the entire hob surface, then detection precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor grid is configured with varying local densities to match the expected distribution of cookware. Areas where cookware is more likely to be placed have higher sensor density for improved detection precision, while less critical areas have lower density. This local quality variation maintains high detection precision where needed while reducing overall energy consumption by deploying fewer sensors in less critical regions.
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 significantly reduces energy consumption and enhances detection efficiency by using energy-saving coarse-meshed detection initially and high-resolution scanning only where cookware is present, allowing for rapid and accurate detection while minimizing standby power usage.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor device has sensor elements that are arranged in a mostly straight, rectangular sensor grid below a glass ceramic cover plate of the hob
Implementation Method 2
In induction cooktops, it is known to use the inductor heating elements as sensor elements and to detect the cooking utensil using a loss angle or an inductance of the inductor heating element that is influenced by the feedback of the cooking utensil element
Data Source
Figure 1~2d
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooktop with a sensor device (10) for detecting cookware (16, 16a, 16b) placed on a cooking surface, the sensor elements (12) being arranged in a sensor grid, and a control unit (14) for activating and deactivating the sensor elements (12) according to a search program. To improve the energy efficiency of such a cooktop, it is proposed that the control unit (14) be designed to activate a selection of different sensor elements (12) in at least a first detection step for the coarse detection of the cookware (16, 16a, 16b), and then, if cookware (16, 16a, 16b) has been detected by at least one sensor element (12), to activate sensor elements (12) in the vicinity of this sensor element (12) in a second detection step.