Induction Hob Switching Unit with Parallel Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliance devices, particularly induction hobs, lack improved security and efficiency in operating multiple induction heating circuits using single or different phases of electrical energy, leading to potential reliability issues and increased wear on switching contacts.
Innovation Solution
A household appliance device with multiple switching components, including synchronous and parallel switching paths, connects consumers to different energy sources, utilizing relay and semiconductor switching elements to manage power distribution efficiently and reduce wear, while allowing for flexible power distribution and boost modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single switching component is used to control multiple consumers, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability and wear resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the switching function into multiple independent switching components (first switching component and second switching component), each controlling specific consumers. This segmentation ensures that failures in one component do not affect others, improving overall system reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different switching components are assigned different functional characteristics - the first switching component controls consumers connected to the first energy source, while the second switching component controls consumers connected to the second energy source. This local differentiation optimizes reliability for each specific control path without requiring complete system redundancy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If consumers are connected to different energy sources, then adaptability and power distribution flexibility improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching unit is designed with multiple switching components that can independently connect different consumers to different energy sources. This multi-functional design allows the system to adapt to various power distribution scenarios (single-phase or multi-phase operation) without requiring a completely different switching architecture for each mode, thus managing complexity while achieving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching capability where the switching components can change their connection state based on operational requirements. The system can dynamically reconfigure which consumers are connected to which energy sources, enabling flexible power distribution adaptability while the switching components themselves remain structurally manageable.
3Reliability
If multiple switching components are used to control different consumers, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching function is segmented into distinct components with specific responsibilities - the first switching component handles consumers on the first energy source, while the second switching component handles consumers on the second energy source. This segmentation improves reliability by isolating failure domains while keeping each individual component relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes different switching components with potentially different parameters (such as different numbers of switching elements or different control characteristics) tailored to specific consumer groups. This allows optimization of reliability for each control path without requiring all components to have identical complex structures, achieving reliability improvement with controlled complexity.
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 enhances reliability, reduces wear on switching contacts, and achieves improved current carrying capacity, enabling efficient and flexible operation of induction heating circuits with enhanced safety and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
An inductor is intended to convert alternating current generated by the heating frequency unit into an alternating magnetic field, which is intended to be used in a, in particular metallic, advantageously ferromagnetic, heating means to be converted into heat by induction currents and/or magnetic reversal effects
Implementation Method 2
heating means to be converted into heat by induction currents and/or magnetic reversal effects
Implementation Method 3
the bidirectional unipolar switches, preferably connected in series, which are in particular formed by a transistor and a diode connected in parallel
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention proceeds from a domestic appliance device (12; 12a), particularly a cooking hob device with at least two consumers (20, 30; 20a, 30a, 82a) and at least one switching unit (14; 14a), which has at least a first multiple switching component (40; 40a, 90a) provided to connect, in at least one operating mode, at least a first of the at least two consumers (20; 20a, 82a) to a first or, in at least one further operating mode, to a second source of energy (16, 18; 16a, 18a). In order to achieve improved safety and/or optimized distribution capability, according to the invention the switching unit (14; 14a) has at least a second multiple switching component (50; 50a, 90a) which has at least two parallel switching paths (52, 54; 52a, 54a, 92a, 94a) and is provided to connect at least a second of the at least two consumers (20, 30; 20a, 30a, 82a) to the second source of energy (18, 18a).