Induction Cooking Utensil Layout for Even Pan and Lid Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking utensils face challenges with uneven heating due to the need for multiple heating elements, which increases manufacturing costs and results in bulky products, and existing solutions using heat diffusion layers do not fully address the issue of even heating.

Innovation Solution

A cooking utensil design featuring a pan body with a first electromagnetism conductive loop and a first electric conductive heating strip, and a cover body with a second electromagnetism conductive loop and a second electric conductive heating strip, with an induction coil arranged between them, forming closed circuits to induce electromotive forces and heat both bodies evenly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If multiple heating elements are used to achieve dimensional heating, then heating evenness is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating evennessVSAvoidnumber of heating elements
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of multiple heating elements into a single induction coil that simultaneously heats both the pan body and cover body through electromagnetic induction. The induction coil generates a magnetic field that induces eddy currents in both the pan body and cover body, eliminating the need for separate heating elements and achieving dimensional heating with a single device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The induction coil serves multiple functions: it heats the pan body from below, heats the cover body from above, and can be controlled to provide different heating intensities to different regions. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple dedicated heating elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If multiple heating elements are used to achieve dimensional heating, then heating evenness is improved, but product size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating evennessVSAvoidproduct size
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple heating functions into a single induction coil positioned between the pan body and cover body. This consolidation eliminates the space required for multiple separate heating elements and their associated control systems, resulting in a more compact overall product design while maintaining dimensional heating capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If heat diffusion layer is added to improve heating evenness, then heat conduction is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating evennessVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical heat diffusion layer approach with an electromagnetic induction system. Instead of relying on thermal conduction through additional material layers, the induction coil directly generates electromagnetic fields that induce eddy currents in the pan body and cover body, producing heat more efficiently and evenly without requiring intermediate heat diffusion structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 design reduces the need for multiple heating elements, saves costs, enhances the utilization of electromagnetic induction energy, and allows for a thinner, more evenly heated cooking utensil, improving heating efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

when the induction coil energized, induced electromotive forces are produced on the first electromagnetism conductive loop and the second electromagnetism conductive loop at the same time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an induction coil, arranged between the first electromagnetism conductive loop and the second electromagnetism conductive loop

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 3

a first electric conductive heating strip and a first electromagnetism conductive loop being connected to form a closed circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3456224B1Cooking utensil
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 FOSHAN SHUNDE MIDEA ELECTRICAL HEATING APPLIANCES MFG CO LTD
  • EP3456224B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3456224B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3456224B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A cooking utensil (100) includes a pan body (1), a cover body (2), and an induction coil (3). The pan body (1) is provided with a first electromagnetism conductive loop (11) and a first electric conductive heating strip (12) which are connected to form a closed circuit. The cover body (2) is provided with a second electromagnetism conductive loop (21) and a second electric conductive heating strip (22) which are connected to form a closed circuit. The induction coil (3) corresponds to the first electromagnetism conductive loop (11) and the second electromagnetism conductive loop (21).