Induction Hob Switching Unit Control for Efficient Power Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking hob devices with inverters face inefficiencies in power distribution and switching, leading to suboptimal heating efficiency and uneven load on the power network, particularly when operating multiple heating elements simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A cooking hob device with a control system that uses a switching unit to interrupt and re-establish the power supply line during specific time intervals, employing a single inverter to power two heating elements with different switching parameters, ensuring gentle switching and efficient power delivery, and utilizing bipolar transistors for efficient power control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single inverter is used to power multiple heating elements with alternating supply, then device complexity is reduced and cost-effectiveness is improved, but switching element service life is reduced due to frequent switching operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by interrupting the power supply to the switching element at regular intervals (first time interval smaller than half a period of power grid voltage, second time interval equal to or larger than half a period). This periodic interruption allows the switching element to rest and cool down, extending its service life while maintaining the ability to power multiple heating elements through alternating supply from a single inverter.
2Adaptability or versatility
If switching element is frequently switched to alternate power supply between multiple heating elements, then adaptability is improved, but energy loss increases due to switching operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces energy loss during switching by implementing periodic interruption of the power supply to the switching element. The first time interval is designed to be smaller than half a period of the power grid voltage, ensuring that switching operations occur at optimal moments in the AC cycle, thereby minimizing inductive kickback and energy dissipation while maintaining adaptability to power multiple heating elements.
3Productivity
If power supply is continuously provided to switching element, then heating efficiency is maintained, but switching element overheating occurs reducing its service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic interruption of power supply to the switching element, with the second time interval being equal to or larger than half a period of the power grid voltage. This ensures adequate cooling time for the switching element while maintaining high heating efficiency during active periods, as the duty cycle is optimized to provide sufficient heating power when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device is configured to interrupt the power supply to the switching element in advance of when it would otherwise be continuously operated. By proactively implementing the periodic interruption scheme, the system prevents overheating before it occurs, extending switching element service life without compromising overall heating efficiency.
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
The solution achieves high heating efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and extended service life for the switching elements while maintaining an even load on the power network, allowing for flexible power delivery to multiple heating elements.
Implementation Method 1
current flowing through the switching element during the cooking process and the current being used to inductively heat a cookware
Implementation Method 2
A rectified alternating voltage is present at the inverter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The basis for the invention is a hob device, in particular an induction hob device, having at least one switching unit (10) by means of which at least one power supply line can be interrupted and connected, a current which is generated by means of a power supply voltage flowing through said line during at least one operating process and said power supply line leading to a first switching element (S1). Said hob device also has at least one control device (14) which controls the switching unit (10) during the operating process in such a way that the switching unit (10) interrupts the power supply line during at least one first total time interval (t), and which initiates connection of the power supply line during the operating process immediately before and immediately after the first time interval (t) and initiates switching of the first switching element (S1) which begins and ends during the first time interval (t). In order to achieve a high degree of efficiency, it is proposed that the first time interval (t) be shorter than the duration of half a period of the power supply voltage.