Induction Range Container Detection with Coil Signal Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Induction ranges incorrectly recognize and heat non-container objects, leading to potential burns and fires, necessitating a system to differentiate and restrict heating to normal containers.

Innovation Solution

An induction range apparatus that uses a low-voltage and high-frequency sensing signal to identify containers, incorporating a blocking part to control induction power flow and a controller to manage signal inputs, ensuring only normal containers are heated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the induction range uses a working coil to generate heat for heating containers, then heating function is provided, but non-container objects are incorrectly recognized and heated causing safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating functionVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the object placed on the working coil before initiating heating. A detector identifies whether the object is a valid heating container by measuring electrical characteristics, and only after successful identification does the controller enable the inverter driver to supply power. This preliminary action prevents accidental heating of non-container objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The detector continuously monitors the electrical characteristics of the object on the working coil and provides feedback signals to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller determines whether to activate or deactivate the inverter driver, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures only valid containers are heated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If a detector is connected to detect changes in electrical characteristics of the working coil, then container identification capability is improved, but induction power may be incorrectly input into the detector causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer identification capabilityVSAvoiddetector damage from induction power

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A blocking part is introduced as an intermediary component between the inverter driver and the detector. This blocking part selectively blocks high-power induction signals from reaching the detector while allowing low-power sensing signals to pass through. The blocking part protects the detector from damage by preventing direct exposure to high-voltage induction power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses different signal power levels for different functions: low-power sensing signals are used for detection purposes, while high-power induction power is blocked from reaching the detector. The blocking part creates different signal conditions for the detector versus the working coil, allowing the detector to function safely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If the system continuously monitors electrical characteristics to ensure accurate container detection, then sensing performance is improved, but power consumption and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing performanceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous monitoring, the system uses periodic or intermittent detection cycles. The controller activates the detector only when needed to identify the presence of an object, and can disable it during steady-state operation. This periodic action reduces overall power consumption while maintaining adequate sensing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Prevents induction power from reaching detectors, reducing noise and power consumption while enhancing sensing performance and safety by accurately identifying and heating only valid containers.

Implementation Method 1

the working coil starts to generate heat and thereby heats the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 2

a first detector configured to receive and output a sensing signal, and to detect a change in electrical characteristics of a working coil that receives the sensing signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical characteristic detection: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS12520388B2Inducting range apparatus for detecting container

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 TECHREIN

AI summary

An induction range apparatus includes a controller determine whether the container is disposed on the working coil, and the container disposed on the working coil is heated through induction heating, in a container sensing mode, and configured to output a block signal so that induction power outputted from an inverter driver is prevented from being input into a first detector, in an induction heating mode; and a blocking part outputting the induction power input from the inverter driver to the working coil or preventing the induction power input from the inverter driver from being input into the first detector or outputting the sensing signal to the working coil, on the basis of any two or less of the input of the induction power from the inverter driver, the input of the unblock signal from the controller, and the input of the block signal from the controller.