Movable Induction Cooking Appliance Connector With Sequenced Power Cutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for induction cooking appliances lack safety features to ensure power supply cutoff during insertion and extraction, posing risks of electric arcing and breakdown of insulated gate bipolar transistors.
Innovation Solution
A connector design with five male terminals, including two for power, two for temperature sensors, and one ground connection, where the ground terminal connects first during insertion and disconnects last during extraction, and a switch mechanism to automatically cut off power before full disconnection, ensuring safe and reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional equal-length terminal connectors are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but safety reliability deteriorates due to risk of electric arcing and IGBT breakdown during extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into five separate terminals with different lengths (first, second, third, fourth, and fifth terminals), where each terminal serves a specific function. The power supply terminal is designed as the longest terminal to ensure it maintains contact during insertion and extraction operations, while other terminals have progressively shorter lengths. This segmentation allows differential contact timing without requiring complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design performs preliminary action by ensuring the power supply terminal is already in contact and establishing a safe electrical connection before other terminals engage during insertion. Conversely, during extraction, the power supply terminal maintains contact until all other terminals have disengaged. This preliminary sequencing of contact establishment and breakage prevents electric arcing and protects the IGBT from breakdown.
2Reliability
If the power supply terminal is designed with greater length, then safety reliability improves by preventing electric arcing, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs asymmetric terminal length design where the power supply terminal is deliberately made longer than the other terminals. This asymmetry is functional rather than arbitrary - the first terminal (power supply) has greater length than the second, third, fourth, and fifth terminals. This asymmetric configuration ensures the power terminal engages first during insertion and disengages last during extraction, providing inherent electrical safety without requiring complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the critical parameter of terminal length to achieve the desired safety function. By varying the length parameter of each terminal according to a specific hierarchy (first terminal longest, subsequent terminals progressively shorter), the design transforms a safety control problem into a simple geometric configuration problem that is easier to manufacture and more reliable in operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple terminals with different functions are integrated, then adaptability improves for connecting induction trays, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with multi-functionality by integrating five different terminals into a single connector assembly. The first terminal provides power supply connection, the second and third terminals provide temperature sensor connections, the fourth terminal provides control signal connection, and the fifth terminal provides ground connection. This universal connector can handle multiple types of connections simultaneously, making it adaptable for connecting induction trays while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure compared to using separate connectors for each function.
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
The design ensures safe and reliable insertion and extraction of induction trays by providing a ground path for electrical discharge and automatic power cutoff, reducing the risk of electric hazards and enhancing user safety and appliance reliability.
Implementation Method 1
providing a ground path for electrical discharge
Implementation Method 2
induction heating elements which, despite a higher complexity and cost
Data Source
AI summary
A movable cooking appliance comprises a structure which is adapted to be placed on a kitchen worktop appliance or inside a cooking oven appliance and includes a heating element and releasable connector assembly for making electrical connection with power supply connectors. The heating element is an induction heating element and an electronic driving unit is mounted on the appliance. The releasable connector assembly comprising a plug connector having a plurality of terminals designed in order to provide a disconnection signal to the electronic unit before the power supply connectors are fully extracted.