Wireless Kitchen Appliance Induction Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless kitchen appliances using RFID and Wi-Fi for communication with induction heating cooktops face signal interference, compatibility issues with multiple appliances, and high costs, making it difficult to operate multiple devices simultaneously on a cooktop.

Innovation Solution

The system uses intermittent energy transmission through the induction coil to allow the wireless appliance to send identification and operational signals to the cooktop via a driver circuit generating varying amplitude and frequency signals, eliminating the need for RFID or Wi-Fi, and utilizing a buffer capacitor for power during energy interruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If RFID or Wi-Fi communication means are used for data transfer between the induction heating cooktop and wireless appliance, then communication capability is provided, but signal interference occurs due to magnetic field from induction coils and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmittanceVSAvoidmagnetic field interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the communication function with the existing induction heating system by using the induction coil and control unit to serve dual purposes: both heating power transmission and data communication. The control unit modulates the induction coil's operation to encode communication signals, eliminating the need for separate RFID or Wi-Fi communication hardware and avoiding magnetic field interference issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The induction coil and control unit are designed to perform multiple functions: primary heating power transmission and secondary data communication. By modulating the coil's activation patterns and using the control unit to encode appliance identification and operational data, the system achieves universal communication capability without requiring dedicated communication antennas or transceivers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If RF transmitting and receiving antennas are disposed on the wireless appliance and induction heating cooktop, then data transfer is provided, but the antennas project outwards and there is not enough area for concealing them

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer capabilityVSAvoidantenna projection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the communication function from separate antenna components and integrates it into the existing induction heating system's control unit and coil structure. This eliminates the need for protruding external antennas, as communication signals are transmitted through the same electromagnetic field used for heating control, maintaining a sleek appliance design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If communication means like RFID, Wi-Fi are used for providing communication between wireless appliance and induction heating cooktop, then data transfer is provided, but cost of the communication means is quite high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit and induction coil are designed to perform multiple functions: primary heating power transmission and secondary data communication. By modulating the coil's activation patterns and using the control unit to encode appliance identification and operational data, the system achieves universal communication capability without requiring dedicated communication antennas or transceivers, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own existing components (induction coil and control unit) to provide communication services, rather than relying on external communication hardware. The control unit independently handles both power control and data encoding/decoding, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for expensive separate communication modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If more than one appliance is desired to be operated on a multiple zone cooktop, then cooking versatility is improved, but communication signals get mixed up and operating more than one wireless appliance is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-appliance operationVSAvoidsignal distinction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication signals by assigning unique identification codes to each appliance and using zone-specific control patterns for each cooking zone. The control unit can distinguish between multiple appliances by detecting their unique signal patterns and modulating the induction coil accordingly, allowing simultaneous operation of multiple appliances on different zones without signal interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This approach enables reliable data transfer between the cooktop and appliance without costly communication means, minimizing errors and allowing operation of multiple appliances on a single cooktop, while reducing costs and signal interference.

Implementation Method 1

A wireless kitchen appliance to be operated in an induction heating cooktop

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 2

The magnetic field created by the induction coils disposed in the induction heating cooktop

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

a receiver coil which collects energy from the induction coil to power the components of the wireless kitchen appliance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2859776B1A wireless kitchen appliance
Publication Date: 2016.04.27 ARCELIK AS
  • EP2859776B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to an induction heating cooktop (1) having one or more than one induction coil (3) and a control unit (4), and relates to a wireless kitchen appliance (2), suitable for being operated wirelessly on the induction heating cooktop (1), having a user interface (6) having a display and keypad that provides monitoring and controlling of the operating parameters like temperature, motor speed, a microcontroller (7) in the memory of which the identification information and operating parameters are recorded, and the receiver coil (8) that supplies the microcontroller (7) and the user interface (6) with low value voltage by the power that is partially received from the induction coil (3).