Inductive Cooking System with Force Sensor for Cookware-Hob Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inductive cooking systems face challenges in ensuring that a cooking utensil is correctly assigned to a heating element without remote effects, which can lead to unsafe operation, and require electrical energy storage in the utensil, complicating the design and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
The system modulates the frequency of the inductive power of the hob, using a force sensor in the utensil to detect weight changes and transmit signals to the hob via an antenna, allowing for safe and reliable assignment of the utensil to the correct heating element without the need for electrical energy storage in the utensil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If radio transmission (transponder technology) is used for communication between cookware and hob, then information can be transmitted remotely, but long-distance effects occur leading to unsafe operation and incorrect control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (magnetic coupling through the hob surface) to transmit information between the cookware and hob without direct radio communication. This intermediary approach allows verification that the cookware is physically present on the hob surface, preventing remote effects while maintaining information transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by detecting the presence and position of the cookware on the hob surface through the magnetic coupling mechanism. This feedback ensures that control actions are only executed when the cookware is properly positioned, preventing unsafe operation and incorrect control
2Ease of operation
If electrical energy storage (batteries or accumulators) is provided in the cooking utensil for sensor operation, then the sensor can function independently, but the design becomes more complex and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The force sensor in the cookware is designed to be powered passively through the magnetic coupling mechanism with the hob, eliminating the need for separate battery or accumulator systems. The cookware leverages the hob's electromagnetic field to power its sensor, reducing design complexity and cost while maintaining operational independence
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides both the sensing capability for detecting cookware presence and the power transmission mechanism for operating the sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate power storage systems in the cookware
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 solution prevents remote effects, ensures safe operation by confirming the utensil's presence on the hob, and allows for easy integration into surface hobs without additional costly modifications, reducing the risk of misuse and operational errors.
Implementation Method 1
a force sensor (32) which is designed to detect a weight force of the first cooking utensil (3) on a surface of the first inductive hotplate (21)
Implementation Method 2
an induction hob (2) with at least one first inductive hotplate (21)... Transmission of inductive power from a first inductive hotplate (21)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3d
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to an inductive cooking system (1) comprising an induction cooktop (2) with at least one first inductive cooking zone (21) and at least one first cookware (3) arranged on the first inductive cooking zone (21). The inductive cooking system (1) is characterized in that the induction cooktop (2) is configured to modulate the inductive power of the first inductive cooking zone (21) in frequency, the first cookware (3) has a force sensor (32) configured to detect a weight force of the first cookware (3) against the surface of the first inductive cooking zone (21), and the induction cooktop (2) is configured to receive a signal of a force measurement value from the first cookware (3).