Variable Cooktop Surface with Automatic Heating Process Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooktop devices lack ease of use and flexibility in heating processes, often requiring operator intervention and inefficient energy use due to fixed heating zones and limited special heating options.
Innovation Solution
A cooktop device with a variable cooking surface area and integrated control unit that automatically detects cooking utensils and offers a catalog of special heating processes, allowing for flexible and efficient heating zone allocation and energy use based on utensil size and type, using multiple sensors and heating elements to monitor and adjust temperature and power density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed heating zones are used in conventional cooktops, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to different cookware sizes and types is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking surface is divided into multiple independently controllable heating zones (e.g., H1, H2, H3, H4) that can be individually activated. Each heating zone can be independently controlled based on the size and position of the cookware, allowing flexible adaptation without requiring a complete redesign of the heating system.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating zones are dynamically adjustable in size and shape based on real-time detection of cookware characteristics. The control unit modifies the active heating area by activating or deactivating specific heating elements, enabling the system to adapt to varying cookware dimensions while maintaining a relatively simple underlying structure.
2Ease of operation
If manual selection of heating processes is required, then the control system is simple, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooktop system automatically detects the presence, size, and type of cookware using sensors (e.g., optical sensors, NTC resistors) and autonomously selects appropriate heating parameters and zones. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual intervention while maintaining a relatively simple control interface for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors sensor data regarding cookware characteristics and adjusts heating parameters in real-time based on this feedback. This closed-loop control enables automatic adaptation to different cooking scenarios while keeping the user interface simple and intuitive.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors and heating elements are used to enable flexible heating zones, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating elements serve multiple functions: they can be individually activated, combined in different configurations, and adjusted in power levels to create various heating zone patterns. This multi-functionality allows a single set of heating elements to replace what would otherwise require multiple dedicated heating zones for different cooking scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
Adjacent heating elements are merged to form larger heating zones when needed, or operated independently when smaller zones are required. This merging capability allows the system to flexibly allocate heating areas without requiring physically separate heating elements for each possible zone configuration.
4Ease of operation
If automatic detection and offering of heating processes is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit pre-configures multiple heating process profiles (e.g., boiling, frying, simmering) with optimized parameters stored in memory. When cookware is detected, the system automatically selects and applies the appropriate pre-configured profile, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations while maintaining sophisticated control capabilities.
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
Enhances operating convenience, flexibility, and safety by allowing multiple special heating processes, optimizing energy use, and ensuring precise temperature monitoring, leading to higher customer satisfaction and efficient handling of cooking tasks.
Implementation Method 1
at least one infrared sensor (24) designed to detect at least one temperature of the cooking vessel (18) placed in the sub-area (14)
Implementation Method 2
at least one variable cooking surface area (12), which includes at least one sub-area (14) in which at least one cooking vessel (18) can be heated, in particular by electromagnetic induction
Implementation Method 3
a control unit (16) for inputting and/or selecting operating parameters and for outputting a value of an operating parameter
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
In order to provide a generic device with improved user-friendliness features, a cooktop device (10) is proposed with at least one variable cooking surface area (12) which has at least one sub-area (14) intended for carrying out special heating processes, and with a control unit (16) which is intended to automatically offer a catalog of several special heating processes for selection in the event of detection of a cooking vessel (18) placed in the sub-area (14).