Split-Type Cooking Appliance Mode Switching for Detachment Safety

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current split-type cooking appliances face challenges in accurately identifying the state of the appliance body and base, leading to safety issues when the combined state is undetectable, causing continuous heating in induction cooker operation mode.

Innovation Solution

A control method for a split-type cooking appliance that includes an identification module, a coil disk, and a wireless transmitting coil circuit module, which acquires state information to determine whether to operate in induction or electric cooker modes based on feedback signals, preventing continuous heating by switching modes when identification fails.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single identification module is used to detect the combined state, then the device structure is simple, but the identification reliability is insufficient leading to safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification reliabilityVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The identification system is segmented into two independent modules: an identification module (e.g., reed switch) and a wireless transmitting coil circuit module. Each module independently detects the combined state through different mechanisms, and their results are logically combined to determine the final state. This segmentation improves reliability by providing redundant detection paths while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements beforehand cushioning by using dual independent identification modules that can compensate for potential failures of either single module. The logical combination of both modules' outputs ensures that a single point of failure does not lead to incorrect state identification, thereby cushioning against identification errors and improving overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Productivity

If continuous heating in induction cooker mode is allowed, then the heating efficiency is high, but safety hazards occur when the appliance body is detached

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidcontinuous heating hazard
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the combined state through two independent identification modules and adjusting the operation mode accordingly. When either module detects that the appliance body is detached, the system receives feedback to switch from high-efficiency induction heating mode to electric heating mode or stop heating, thereby preventing continuous heating hazards while maintaining high efficiency when properly combined.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by proactively preventing continuous heating hazards before they can cause damage. Through dual module detection, the system identifies potential detachment states in advance and takes preventive action by switching operation modes or stopping heating, thereby counteracting the harmful effect of continuous heating before it becomes a safety issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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

Effectively identifies the separated or combined state of the base and appliance body, preventing safety hazards by switching to appropriate operation modes, thus ensuring safe operation.

Implementation Method 1

a wireless transmitting coil circuit module configured to generate an electromagnetic field to wirelessly transmit power to the appliance body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a coil disk configured to generate heat in induction cooker operation mode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction heating: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11684208B2Split-type cooking appliance and control method thereof
Publication Date: 2023.06.27 FOSHAN SHUNDE MIDEA ELECTRICAL HEATING APPLIANCES MFG CO LTD
  • US11684208B2 patent drawing
  • US11684208B2 patent drawing
  • US11684208B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed are a split-type cooking appliance and a control method therefor. The control method includes acquiring state information of an identification device after a base is powered on; if the state information is a first state, forbidding the base from operating in an induction cooker operation mode and allowing the base to operate in an electric cooker operation mode; if the state information of the identification device is a second state, determining whether a wireless transmission coil circuit detects a feedback signal; if so, forbidding the base from operating in the induction cooker operation mode and allowing the base to operate in the electric cooker operation mode; and if not, allowing the base to operate in the induction cooker operation mode, and forbidding the base from operating in the electric cooker operation mode.