Smart table
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multipurpose tables with induction heating modules have fixed locations, limiting flexibility and convenience, and existing wireless power transmission systems face challenges in identifying and supplying power to moving appliances efficiently, while also being costly and inefficient in power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A smart table integrating induction heating and wireless power transmission functions using a modular coil unit and RFID technology, allowing the same coils to function for both induction heating and wireless power transmission without separate regions, enabling flexible appliance placement and efficient power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional table with a fixed induction heating module is used, then the induction heating function is provided, but the location cannot be easily changed and flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The table surface is divided into multiple regions, each equipped with its own induction heating module and wireless power transmission coil. These modular units can be independently controlled and selectively activated based on appliance location, enabling flexible reconfiguration without requiring complex manual reassembly of the entire system
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts which induction heating modules and wireless power transmission coils are activated based on real-time detection of appliance locations using RFID tags. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the table to adapt to moving appliances while maintaining optimal power transmission efficiency
2Area of stationary object
If separate regions are designated for induction heating and wireless power transmission, then each function has dedicated space, but the device size increases and space utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Each table region integrates both an induction heating module and a wireless power transmission coil into a single unified structure. This merging allows the same physical space to serve dual purposes: heating cookware through induction while simultaneously providing wireless power to electronic devices, thereby maximizing surface area utilization without requiring separate dedicated zones for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The table regions are designed with multi-functionality, where each region can independently perform induction heating, wireless power transmission, or both functions simultaneously depending on the placed appliances. This universal design eliminates the need for separate single-function zones, optimizing the use of available table surface area
3Ease of operation
If wireless power transmission is implemented without RFID identification, then power can be transmitted broadly, but power consumption increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses RFID readers to continuously scan for tags on placed appliances and provides feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit selectively activates only the wireless power transmission coils corresponding to detected appliances, maintaining power supply convenience while minimizing unnecessary power consumption by keeping inactive coils in standby mode
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically identifies appliances through RFID tags and self-configures which wireless power transmission coils to activate without requiring manual user input. This self-service mechanism ensures power is transmitted only where needed, optimizing both convenience and energy efficiency
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 smart table provides flexible and efficient induction heating and wireless power transmission, minimizing power consumption and cost, while maintaining a compact design, and effectively supplies power to appliances regardless of their location, enhancing user convenience and space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
a coil unit disposed below an upper surface of the plate and including a plurality of working coils heated by the AC power
Implementation Method 2
an RFID reader for recognizing an RFID tag of a home appliance placed on the plate and receiving information of the home appliance from the RFID tag
Data Source
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AI summary
A smart table is disclosed. The smart table includes a plate, an inverter configured to convert direct current (DC) power into alternative current (AC) power and to supply the AC power, a coil unit disposed below the plate and including a plurality of working coils heated by the AC power, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader configured to recognize an RFID tag of a home appliance placed on the plate and to receive information on the home appliance from the RFID tag, and a processor configured to drive one or more of the plurality of working coils as wireless power transmission coils to perform control to transmit wireless power to the home appliance based on the received information.