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Solution Overview
Problem
Kitchen appliances are hindered by cord clutter and inefficient stove usage due to the need for electric devices to be located near outlets and away from cooking surfaces, reducing ergonomic usability and counter space efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact power transfer system, such as inductive power, allows for wireless energy transfer to cooking appliances, enabling precise control and alignment, and communication with the appliance to optimize energy usage, eliminating the need for cords and enhancing ergonomic kitchen design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electric appliances are located near outlets, then power supply is ensured, but ergonomic usability and counter space efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power cord from the system by implementing wireless power transfer through induction heating technology. The cooking surface itself becomes the power source, eliminating the need for external power cords and outlets, thus resolving the conflict between power supply reliability and ergonomic usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooking surface is given multiple functions: it serves both as the heating element and as the power supply source for connected appliances. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate power cords while ensuring reliable power delivery, thereby improving both power supply and ergonomic usability.
2Ease of operation
If cord length is increased to improve usability, then appliance mobility is enhanced, but kitchen clutter increases and counter space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the power cord entirely from the system by implementing wireless power transfer. This eliminates the trade-off between cord length and counter space, as no cord is present to create clutter or reduce usable counter space, while appliances can be freely positioned on the cooking surface.
3Area of stationary object
If heating element is placed beneath heat conductive material, then additional counter space is provided, but stove efficiency is reduced due to insulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional heating element beneath insulation with an electromagnetic induction system. The induction field directly induces currents in the cookware and cooking surface without requiring thermal conduction through insulating materials, thereby eliminating energy loss through insulation while maintaining the heated surface functionality.
4Area of stationary object
If heating conductive material is used to provide counter space, then additional usable surface is achieved, but cleaning difficulty increases due to heat retention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal conduction-based heating with electromagnetic induction heating. The induction field selectively heats only the conductive cookware and cooking surface when activated, allowing the surface to remain cool and safe for food placement when not in use, thereby eliminating the cleaning difficulty associated with heat-retentive materials while maintaining expanded counter space.
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 system provides efficient and ergonomic power delivery to kitchen appliances, reducing clutter, increasing usable counter space, and allowing for precise control of cooking processes, while enabling appliances to be fully sealed for easy cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
The non-contact power transfer system could be an inductive power system
Implementation Method 2
A non-contact power transfer system for transferring power to a cooking appliance
Data Source
AI summary
An inductive power supply system includes a non-contact power supply for energizing a device. The inductive power supply system includes a communication system for enabling communication between a device and the system. The device transmits an identifier to the system. If the device does not have a transmitter, the system attempts to determine the type of device from a characterization of the power consumption by the device. If the device cannot be characterized, the inductive power supply system can be operated manually.