Induction Heating Device with Shared Resonant-Circuit Power Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing induction heating devices for metallic materials require multiple resonant circuits and power supply components, leading to high investment costs and reduced flexibility in responding to diverse production needs and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An induction heating device with at least two resonant circuits and a power supply device featuring an isolator switch, inverters, and a switching device that allows for indirect energetic coupling, enabling alternating and intermittent operation of resonant circuits, reducing the number of simultaneously active circuits and shared components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple resonant circuits are equipped with separate power supply components, then each circuit can operate independently, but investment costs increase and flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power supply components (isolator switch, rectifier, smoothing circuit, inverter) into a shared configuration that can serve multiple resonant circuits. The switching device enables dynamic allocation of these shared components to different resonant circuits, reducing the total number of components while maintaining operational independence through controlled sharing.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared power supply components are designed to be universally applicable to multiple resonant circuits. The isolator switch, inverter, and other components can be dynamically assigned to different resonant circuits based on operational needs, allowing one set of components to perform multiple functions and serve multiple circuits sequentially.
2Power
If all resonant circuits can be simultaneously coupled with energy, then maximum heating capacity is achieved, but the number of required power supply components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control through the switching device, which enables flexible allocation of shared power supply components to different resonant circuits based on real-time operational requirements. This dynamic switching allows the system to adapt power distribution without requiring dedicated components for each circuit, reducing overall complexity while maintaining maximum heating capacity when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic switching between different resonant circuits using the shared power supply components. When full simultaneous operation is not required, circuits can be activated in periodic sequences, allowing the same power supply components to serve multiple circuits over time, thereby reducing the total number of components needed while maintaining adequate heating capacity.
3Ease of operation
If dedicated power supply components are used for each resonant circuit, then operational independence is ensured, but response time during product changes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shared power supply components are kept in a ready state and can be rapidly switched between different resonant circuits through the switching device. This preliminary preparation of shared components allows for quick reconfiguration when product changes occur, reducing response time compared to systems that would require physical reconnection or activation of dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching device acts as an intermediary that enables rapid transition of shared power supply components between different resonant circuits. This intermediary mechanism facilitates quick reconfiguration and maintains operational independence through controlled switching, eliminating the time delays associated with activating dedicated components for each circuit.
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 configuration reduces investment costs, enhances production line flexibility, improves energy efficiency, and shortens response times during product changes, while maintaining efficient temperature control across varying metallic materials.
Implementation Method 1
Induction heating using an induction heating device excites an inductor to vibrate, particularly in the medium-frequency range
Implementation Method 2
the alternating magnetic field induces an electrical voltage in the metallic material, which leads to an electrical current in the metallic material, in particular an alternating electrical current. This current always runs in closed paths, can therefore also be called eddy current
Implementation Method 3
causes the metallic material to heat up according to Joule's losses
Implementation Method 4
at least one inverter, in particular two, three, four, five, six or more inverters, for converting a direct current into an alternating current for supplying power to a resonant circuit
Implementation Method 5
an isolator switch for connecting the induction heating device to an electrical power supply
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an induction heating device for heating a metallic material, said induction heating device comprising: a number of at least two resonant circuits each for generating a magnetic field for heating the metallic material; and a power supply device for supplying the resonant circuits with electrical power, the power supply device comprising an isolator switch for connecting the induction heating device to an electrical power supply, and at least one inverter for converting a direct current into an alternating current for supplying power to a resonant circuit, the power supply device comprising a switching device, the switching device being designed to enable at least indirect energy coupling between the isolator switch and the resonant circuits, and the number of resonant circuits capable of being simultaneously coupled with energy being smaller than the number of resonant circuits in the induction heating device.