Induction Hob Spacer Design for Thermal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional induction cooking plates inefficiently use energy due to heat transfer from cooking vessels to the cooking surface, leading to high power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The induction cooking plate features separate induction areas with curved borders and embedded thermally isolating spacers made of heat-resistant materials, maintaining a flat surface while maximizing the distance between the cooking vessel and the plate to minimize thermal conduction and optimize inductive heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the cooking vessel is placed directly on the cooking plate surface, then the support structure is simple, but heat is transferred from the cooking vessel to the plate surface causing high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spacer as an intermediary element between the cooking vessel bottom and the cooking plate surface. This spacer creates a thermal isolation layer that prevents direct heat transfer from the cooking vessel to the plate, thereby reducing energy loss and power consumption while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the thermal conduction pathway by removing direct contact between the cooking vessel and the cooking plate surface. By taking out the direct thermal connection, the system eliminates unnecessary heat transfer to the plate, reducing energy waste while keeping the overall device structure simple
2Loss of energy
If the cooking vessel is kept at a distance from the cooking plate to minimize thermal conduction, then power consumption is reduced, but the inductive heating efficiency may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the spacer height parameter to achieve the optimal balance between thermal isolation and inductive heating efficiency. By carefully selecting the spacer height, the system maintains sufficient distance to reduce thermal conduction losses while keeping the cooking vessel within the effective inductive heating zone, thus preserving heating efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial thermal isolation by using a spacer of specific height rather than complete isolation. This partial action approach ensures that enough thermal blocking is achieved to reduce power consumption while maintaining sufficient inductive coupling for effective heating, avoiding excessive isolation that would harm heating efficiency
3Ease of operation
If a flat cooking surface is provided, then ease of cleaning is improved, but thermal isolation between cooking vessel and plate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer acts as a hidden intermediary that provides thermal isolation without affecting the flatness of the cooking plate surface. The spacer is positioned in the gap between the vessel bottom and plate surface, maintaining the flat external appearance for easy cleaning while internally providing thermal blocking functionality
4Loss of energy
If the cooking plate surface is made curved to provide thermal isolation, then power consumption is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal isolation function from the cooking plate surface by introducing a separate spacer component. This segmentation allows the cooking plate to remain flat and simple to manufacture, while the spacer provides the necessary thermal isolation, dividing the complex thermal management function into simpler, manufacturable parts
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer serves as an intermediary element that provides thermal isolation without requiring modification of the cooking plate surface geometry. This intermediary approach maintains the simplicity of plate manufacturing while achieving the desired thermal isolation effect through the spacer component
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 design reduces thermal inertia and power consumption by heating only the cooking vessel, achieving up to 4% energy savings while allowing efficient inductive heating and easy cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
high frequency energy is allowed to be transmitted into the bottom of the cooking pot
Implementation Method 2
an isolated material is embedded in a cooking surface in order to disrupt the thermal energy flow back from the cooking vessel into the cooking surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The inventors of the instant invention have realized that blocking the thermal flow from a cooking vessel to the surface of the cooking area can provide power savings up to 4% according to energy measurements. According to embodiments of the invention, spacers (110,..., 120; 310,..., 370; 220; 410) are provided between the surface of a cooking area (105, 210 ,380,..., 395) and a cooking vessel such as a cooking pot or a kettle. The spacers may be integrated in form of a curvature in a glass ceramic surface of a hob or may be placed at top of a cooking area (100). Another solution may be provided in the cooking vessel (400) such as a kettle that has an isolating lowest bottom in form of integrated spacers which can directly be placed on common induction hobs.