Inductive heating cooker

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional induction-heating cookers face challenges in achieving a smaller and thinner design due to the requirement for a larger, box-shaped operation board holder, which increases development costs and mold/die investments, as the holder must accommodate various operation board shapes and sizes.

Innovation Solution

The induction-heating cooker features an outer frame with an upper opening and a top plate, where the operation board is held from the lower surface side by an operation board holding part on the outer frame side surface, allowing for a reduced space occupation and effective space utilization, with a support member connecting the frame's sides to enhance rigidity and accommodate diverse operation board sizes and shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bottomed box-shaped operation board holder is used to house the operation board, then the operation board is securely fixed to the outer frame, but the holder occupies excessive space and increases the overall size and thickness of the induction-heating cooker

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fixing of operation boardVSAvoidspace occupied by operation board holder
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the operation board holder from the conventional bottomed box-shaped structure and repositions it to the side surface of the outer frame. This removes the holder from the internal space, allowing the operation board to be held securely while opening up the internal volume for better space utilization and thinner design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions the operation board holder from a three-dimensional box structure occupying internal space to a two-dimensional surface-mounted structure on the side surface of the outer frame. This dimensional change eliminates the need for the holder to occupy vertical space, enabling a thinner overall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the operation board holder is designed to accommodate various operation board shapes and sizes, then the holder must be made in multiple variations, but this increases development costs and investment in molds and dies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of various operation board shapesVSAvoidnumber of holder variations
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention designs a universal operation board holder that can accommodate multiple operation board shapes and sizes. The holder is configured with a recessed portion that can adapt to different board dimensions, eliminating the need for multiple specialized holders and reducing development complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The holder incorporates flexible or adjustable elements that allow it to adapt dynamically to different operation board configurations. This dynamic capability enables a single holder design to serve multiple purposes across different product variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the operation board holder is positioned inside the outer frame, then the operation board is protected and secured, but the internal space is reduced and the cooker cannot achieve a thinner profile

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection and securing of operation boardVSAvoidthickness of cooker body
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the operation board holder from the internal positioning and relocates it to the side surface of the outer frame. This extraction removes the holder from the thickness-critical path, allowing the cooker to achieve a thinner profile while maintaining secure operation board mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The holder design incorporates thin-walled or flexible structures that provide adequate protection and securing functionality with minimal thickness, enabling the overall cooker design to be more compact in the vertical dimension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 enables a more compact, cost-effective, and versatile induction-heating cooker design that can accommodate various operation board shapes, reducing development burdens and achieving a thinner, more efficient use of space within the device.

Implementation Method 1

a coil unit that is arranged below the top plate for induction-heating the object to be heated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a coil unit that is arranged below the top plate for induction-heating the object to be heated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 3

a coil unit that is arranged below the top plate for induction-heating the object to be heated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3048860B1Inductive heating cooker
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3048860B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3048860B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3048860B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The outer frame 4 has a plurality of outer frame throughhole 7, an operation board holding member 6 goes through the outer frame throughhole 7 and fixed to the outer frame 4. Thereby, it is possible to hold and fix the operation board 3 to the outer frame side surface 4a with a simple and inexpensive configuration. Accordingly, this makes it possible to reduce the space occupied by the operation board holding member 6 in the main body, and parts can be arranged efficiently within a limited space of the main body, thereby achieving a thinner size of the outer frame 4 in the induction-heating cooker.