Induction Hob Switching Element Thermal Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing induction cooking tables face challenges in identifying and isolating the source of excessive heating among switching elements, leading to inefficient temperature regulation and increased costs due to the need for multiple temperature sensors or universal sensor systems that do not allow for precise action on individual elements.
Innovation Solution
A power control process that uses a temperature sensor to detect temperature rises, identifies the switching element responsible for the heating by determining the number of switches to high current or voltage thresholds, and reduces instructions only for those elements, allowing for precise temperature regulation and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a common temperature sensor is used for all switching elements, then the cost is reduced, but the ability to identify the specific heating element is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control approach by tracking each switching element's operational parameters (number of switches, current, voltage) individually, even though a single temperature sensor is used. This allows the system to attribute temperature rises to specific elements based on their switching patterns rather than physically separating sensors for each element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach by using the number of switches and electrical parameters (current, voltage) as mediators to indirectly identify the heating element. Instead of directly measuring each element's temperature with separate sensors, the system uses switch count and electrical parameters as proxies to determine which element caused the temperature rise.
2Temperature
If temperature regulation acts on all switching elements, then the temperature is controlled, but energy is wasted on elements that are not heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring the temperature regulation action to specific switching elements based on their individual switching patterns. Instead of uniformly reducing power to all elements, the system identifies which element has the highest switch count and applies reduction only to that element, allowing other elements to continue operating normally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by reducing power only to the extent necessary for the identified heating element rather than applying maximum reduction to all elements. The control process calculates the number of switches for each element and applies selective reduction only to the element exceeding the threshold, avoiding excessive action on non-heating elements.
3Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are used for each switching element, then precise identification is achieved, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of individual element temperature monitoring by using the number of switches and electrical parameters as surrogate metrics. Instead of physically installing multiple temperature sensors, the system copies the monitoring function through software-based tracking of switch counts and electrical parameters, which indirectly reflects each element's thermal state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the single temperature sensor universal by using it to monitor the overall temperature while combining it with switch count and electrical parameter tracking to identify specific elements. The single sensor serves multiple functions: general temperature monitoring, heating element identification through correlated parameter analysis, and triggering selective control actions.
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 process enables precise identification and reduction of excessive heating sources, maintaining all components within a critical temperature while reducing overall energy consumption and costs by targeting only the necessary elements.
Implementation Method 1
an adapted temperature sensor to measure a representative temperature of the temperature of all said switching elements
Implementation Method 2
The switching elements are subject to warm -ups, which can harm the proper functioning of the hob
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Method of power control of an induction cooktop comprising several operating inductors, each inductor being power controlled by a switching element according to a setpoint power (Pc) associated with said inductor, and a temperature sensor (CT) adapted to measure a temperature (Tm) representative of the temperature of all said switching elements (Com).The control method comprises the following successive steps: - detection of a temperature value (Tm) measured by said temperature sensor (CT) greater than or equal to an alert threshold (Ts); - determination, for each switching element (Com), over a predefined period of time (Tf), of a number of switching operations (Nc) at a current or voltage value greater than or equal to respectively a prefixed maximum current or voltage threshold (Is, Us); - identification of at least one switching element (Com) generating heating as a function of said number of switching operations (Nc) determined for each switching element (Com); and - reduction of said setpoint power (Pc) associated with said inductor controlled by said at least one switching element (Com) generating identified heating.