Induction Tray Connector Layout for Arc-Safe Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for induction cooking appliances lack safety features to prevent electric arcing and potential breakdown when the induction tray is extracted while powered, posing a risk to users and appliance reliability.
Innovation Solution
A connector design with five male terminals, including two for power, two for temperature sensors, and one ground connection, where the ground terminal disconnects last during extraction, ensuring safe power cut-off and electrical safety, using a switch mechanism to automatically interrupt power supply before full disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional equal-length terminal connectors are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but safety is compromised due to potential electric arcing when extracting the tray during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs asymmetric terminal lengths with the ground terminal extending beyond power and sensor terminals. This asymmetric design ensures that during extraction, the ground connection disconnects last, providing a safe discharge path for residual electricity and preventing electric arcing between power terminals, thereby resolving the safety issue without requiring complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The ground terminal is designed to maintain connection after power terminals during extraction, creating a preliminary safety mechanism. This preliminary action ensures that electrical discharge occurs through the grounded path before power connections are fully disconnected, preventing harmful arcing and protecting the IGBT circuit
2Reliability
If the ground terminal disconnects last during extraction, then electrical safety is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ground terminal is specifically designed with extended length and integrated grounding structure at its end, creating a localized quality enhancement. This local quality ensures that the ground connection persists longer during extraction, providing safety without requiring extremely tight tolerances across all terminals, as only the ground terminal needs the extended length feature
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
Ensures safe and reliable insertion and extraction of induction trays by guaranteeing electrical discharge through the ground terminal and automatic power cut-off, reducing the risk of electric arcing and enhancing user safety and appliance reliability.
Implementation Method 1
guaranteeing electrical discharge through the ground terminal and automatic power cut-off, reducing the risk of electric arcing
Implementation Method 2
The use of electrical resistance heaters has been replaced by more efficient induction heating elements
Data Source
AI summary
A movable cooking appliance comprises a structure which is adapted to be placed on a kitchen worktop appliance or inside a cooking oven appliance and includes a heating element and releasable connector assembly for making electrical connection with power supply connectors. The heating element is an induction heating element and an electronic driving unit is mounted on the appliance. The releasable connector assembly comprising a plug connector having a plurality of terminals designed in order to provide a disconnection signal to the electronic unit before the power supply connectors are fully extracted.