Magnetic stirrer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking apparatuses with magnetic stirring tools lack the ability to optimally adjust the magnetic field's position and strength for processing substances, limiting their effectiveness in varying conditions such as density and viscosity.

Innovation Solution

A device with a movably insertable magnetic tool and a drive unit that allows for adjustable rotational and translational movement of the magnetic field, enabling optimal adaptation to substance properties and conditions, using a combination of permanent magnets, motors, and actuators for precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a spatially fastened drive unit is used to generate a rotating magnetic field, then the magnetic field can be generated reliably, but the magnetic field position cannot be adjusted spatially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic field generationVSAvoidmagnetic field position adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The drive unit is made movable instead of fixed, allowing it to change position dynamically. The patent implements this by providing a drive unit that can be moved along the axis perpendicular to the worktop surface, enabling spatial adjustment of the magnetic field position while maintaining reliable magnetic field generation through the permanent magnets and coil assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the magnetic field position is made adjustable, then the processing effectiveness for varying substance properties is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing effectivenessVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive unit incorporates movable components including a movable support structure with guide rails and actuators that enable positional adjustment. This dynamic design allows the magnetic field position to be adapted to different substance properties while maintaining manageable device complexity through structured mechanical guidance systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a combination of permanent magnets and electromagnetic coils to generate the rotating magnetic field, replacing purely mechanical stirring mechanisms. This substitution enables precise control of the magnetic field position and strength through electromagnetic actuation rather than complex mechanical linkages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If permanent magnets are used for the actuating unit, then the magnetic field strength is improved, but the risk of worktop damage from magnetic cookware increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic field strengthVSAvoidworktop damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a movable support structure and positioning system as an intermediary between the permanent magnets and the worktop. This intermediary system allows the magnetic field source to be positioned at an optimized distance from the worktop, maintaining strong magnetic field strength for effective stirring while reducing the direct magnetic interaction that could cause worktop damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The drive unit with permanent magnets is made dynamically positionable rather than fixed, allowing the system to adjust the distance between the magnets and worktop. This dynamic positioning enables optimization of magnetic field strength for processing effectiveness while minimizing harmful magnetic effects on the worktop by maintaining appropriate spacing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 allows for improved stirring and mixing efficiency by optimizing the magnetic field's position and strength, enhancing safety and versatility, while preventing worktop damage from magnetic cookware.

Implementation Method 1

at least one actuating unit for generating a magnetic field for driving the at least one magnetic tool

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a device for processing, preferably stirring and/or mixing, a substance in a container by at least one magnetic tool

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic stirring: Electromagnetic Stirring

Data Source

PatentUS20240099506A1Magnetic stirrer

Publication Date: 2024.03.28 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) and a method for processing, preferably stirring and/or mixing, a substance (2) in a container (3) by at least one magnetic tool (4) being movably insertable or being movably inserted in the container (3), the device (1) comprising a worktop (5) for contacting a section of the container (3), preferably at least partially a bottom wall (3B) of the container (3), at a first side (S51) of the worktop (5); at least one actuating unit (6) for generating a magnetic field (MF) for driving the at least one magnetic tool (4), the at least one actuating unit (6) being arranged at a second side (S52) of the worktop (5) opposite to the first side (S51); and a drive unit (7) for rotational and translational driving the at least one actuating unit (6). The invention relates further to a cooking apparatus and an arrangement.