Induction Hob Vibration Detection for Rapid Cookware Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for automatically assigning setup devices to inductive hobs face delays due to temperature measurement correlations, leading to inefficiencies in device recognition and allocation.
Innovation Solution
The method employs vibration detection correlated with allocation signals, where the heating coils of the hob are activated successively or simultaneously to rapidly identify and assign setup devices without significant time delay, using power profiles and coded delay times to differentiate between hotplates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If temperature measurement correlation methods are used for device assignment, then the assignment can be performed with simple sensing, but significant time delays occur due to thermal capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal measurement system with a mechanical vibration detection system. Instead of measuring temperature changes that are delayed by thermal capacity, the system detects vibrations generated by the heating coil when a cooking vessel is placed on it. This mechanical detection method eliminates the time delay inherent in thermal systems while maintaining reliable device identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from temperature to vibration. By monitoring vibration characteristics rather than temperature changes, the system achieves rapid device assignment without the thermal lag that plagues temperature-based methods. The vibration signal provides immediate feedback about vessel presence and position.
2Productivity
If heating coils are activated simultaneously for rapid assignment, then assignment speed increases, but differentiation between individual hotplates becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving each heating coil a unique vibration signature or by detecting local vibration characteristics specific to each coil-vessel interaction. This allows simultaneous activation of multiple coils while maintaining the ability to differentiate between them based on their individual vibration responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic activation patterns or coded vibration signals for each heating coil. By using distinct periodic patterns or coded sequences, the system can simultaneously activate multiple coils and still differentiate between them through their unique temporal signatures, maintaining both speed and precision.
3Speed
If vibration detection is used for rapid assignment, then assignment speed increases, but the system complexity increases due to additional sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the heating coil serve multiple functions: it both heats the cooking vessel and generates the vibration signal used for detection. This eliminates the need for separate sensing mechanisms, reducing system complexity while maintaining rapid assignment capabilities. The same component that performs the primary heating function also provides the detection signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating coil essentially detects the presence of the cooking vessel through its own vibration characteristics when activated. The system uses the natural mechanical response of the coil-vessel interaction rather than requiring external active sensors, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while achieving fast detection.
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 enables rapid, efficient, and reliable automatic assignment of setup devices to hotplates, reducing technical effort and increasing speed while maintaining accuracy and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an induction coil (14) that can be inductively coupled to a heating coil (8) of the induction cooktop
Implementation Method 2
a cooktop control unit (10) for controlling the heating coil (8) in an operating mode (E) of the induction cooktop (4) for heating a mounting device (12) placed on the cooking zone (6)
Implementation Method 3
The mounting device (12) has at least one sensor (17) for detecting an installation event and/or for detecting the nature of a surface on which the mounting device (12) has been placed
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for automatically assigning at least one mounting device (12) to at least one cooking zone (6) of an induction cooktop (4), wherein the cooktop (4) has a cooktop control unit (10) for controlling heating coils (8) with an assignment signal and the mounting device (12) has a measuring unit (15) and a transmitting unit (16),and wherein the measuring unit (15) detects a vibration of the mounting device (12) that correlates with the assignment signal induced in the induction coil (14), and the transmitting unit (16) sends a response signal (20) identifying the mounting device (12) and correlated with the detected vibration of the mounting device (12) to a receiving unit (18) of the cooktop control (10) or a third-party device in signal transmission communication with the cooktop control, and the response signal (20) is compared in an evaluation unit (22) of the cooktop control (10) or the third-party device with the assignment signal of the at least one heating coil (8) of this cooktop (6), and the identified mounting device (12) is assigned to this cooktop (6) depending on this comparison. The invention further relates to a system (2) for carrying out the method, an induction cooktop (4), and a mounting device (12).