Inductive Cooktop Utensil Correlation via Induced Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inductive cooktop systems face challenges in accurately and efficiently correlating cooktop utensils with cooking zones, particularly due to delays caused by temperature measurements and the need for a power source on the utensil for transmission, which complicates the correlation process.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a cooktop controller to drive heating coils with a correlation signal, inducing power in the utensil's induction coil to supply the transmitter unit, allowing it to transmit a response signal that identifies and correlates with the cooking zone, eliminating the need for a separate power source on the utensil and reducing correlation time by using induced voltage for operation power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature measurement and power profile template comparison method is used for pot detection, then pot identification accuracy is improved, but correlation time is increased due to thermal capacity delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the temperature-based detection method with an electromagnetic induction-based method. Instead of measuring temperature changes in the pot and comparing with power profile templates, the system uses the heating coil to induce voltage in the pot's induction coil, which directly powers the transmitter unit. This substitution eliminates the thermal delay inherent in temperature-based detection while maintaining identification accuracy through electromagnetic signal correlation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the transmitter unit in the pot continuously transmit identification signals or have them ready for transmission. When the heating coil is activated for cooking, it simultaneously performs the correlation function by inducing voltage that powers the transmitter, allowing immediate identification without waiting for temperature changes to occur first.
2Extent of automation
If transmitter unit is provided on cooktop utensil for correlation signaling, then automatic correlation capability is improved, but device complexity is increased due to power source requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by designing the transmitter unit to be self-powered through electromagnetic induction. The heating coil, when activated for cooking, induces voltage in the pot's induction coil, which automatically powers the transmitter unit without requiring an external battery or power source. This eliminates the complexity of managing separate power sources while maintaining automatic correlation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating coil serves dual functions: it provides the primary cooking function by heating the pot and simultaneously serves as the power source for the transmitter unit through electromagnetic induction. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate power source components in the pot, reducing device complexity while maintaining automatic correlation capability.
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 approach enables fast and efficient automatic correlation of cooktop utensils with cooking zones without power source requirements, reducing delays and simplifying the correlation process by leveraging induced power for signal transmission, thus enhancing the usability and efficiency of inductive cooktop systems.
Implementation Method 1
when a voltage is induced by at least one of the heating coils into the induction coil of the cooktop utensil that is placed on the cooking zone associated with this heating coil
Data Source
AI summary
A method for automatically correlating at least one cooktop utensil with at least one cooking zone of an inductive cooktop having a plurality of cooking zones which are inductively heated by at least one respective heating coil, includes: providing the cooktop with a cooktop controller configured to drive the heating coils with a correlation signal; providing the at least one cooktop utensil with an induction coil inductively couplable with the heating coils of the cooktop and a transmitter unit; supplying the transmitter unit with an operation power when a voltage is induced by at least one of the heating coils into the induction coil of the cooktop utensil that is placed on the cooking zone associated with this heating coil; transmitting, by the transmitter unit of the cooktop utensil, by the operating power, a response signal that identifies the cooktop utensil and correlates with the induced correlation signal.