KR100672595B1 - Induction heater and Method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electromagnetic induction heater that is easy to use and saves energy, and a control method thereof. The present invention provides a power source unit, an induction heating unit having at least one working coil for generating eddy current in the cooking vessel by receiving a predetermined power from the power supply unit, and a position for moving the working coil of the induction heating unit to a predetermined position. It provides an electromagnetic induction heater and a control method comprising an adjustment unit, a control unit for controlling the position adjustment unit, and collecting a predetermined data to determine the optimum heating position of the working coil. Therefore, according to the present invention, food can be cooked with ease of use and with high energy efficiency.

Electromagnetic induction heater, induction heating unit, position adjusting unit, control unit, inverter unit

Description

Induction heater and method for controlling the same

1 is a block diagram of a conventional electromagnetic induction heater;

2 is a block diagram of an electromagnetic induction heater according to the present invention;

3 is a perspective view of an electromagnetic induction heater according to the present invention;

4A is a perspective view illustrating a case in which a cooking vessel leaves a first area of the electromagnetic induction heater according to the present invention;

Figure 4b is a perspective view showing a case where the cooking vessel is located in the first region of the electromagnetic induction heater according to the present invention, the position of the working coil needs to be adjusted;

Figure 4c is a perspective view showing a case where the cooking vessel is located in the first region of the electromagnetic induction heater according to the present invention, the position adjustment of the working coil is not necessary;

5 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the working coil of the electromagnetic induction heater according to the present invention;

6 is a flow chart showing a control method of the electromagnetic induction heater according to the present invention.

<Explanation of Signs of Major Parts of Drawings>

100: electromagnetic induction heater 110: power supply

120: induction heating unit 121: walking coil

130: control unit 140: inverter unit

150: position adjusting unit 151: rail

155: first region 160: display unit

170: signal unit 180: operation unit

190: ceramic plate R: cooking vessel

The present invention relates to a cooking appliance and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to an electromagnetic induction heater that is convenient to use and saves energy.

In general, when electricity is supplied to the heating plate, the heating plate consumes power represented by the product of the square of the current and the resistance, and the consumed power warms up the heating plate, which is transmitted to the heating element in the form of heat to finally heat the heating element. do.

The principle of generating heat in an induction heater itself is not different from other heaters, but induction heaters differ in that electricity is directly generated and consumed by objects blocking magnetic lines. For this reason, the thermal efficiency of an induction heater is much higher than that of a gas stove or a heater.

Specifically, the electromagnetic induction heater uses a principle in which a magnetic field is generated when a change in current occurs in a conductor, and a current flows when a magnetic field is changed in the conductor. First, when a high frequency current is supplied to the working coil to generate a magnetic field, and the magnetic field is applied to the cooking vessel corresponding to the working coil to induce an eddy current, the eddy current is converted into heat by the electrical resistivity of the cooking vessel.

Therefore, the electromagnetic induction heater is limited in the material of the cooking vessel used due to the unique heating method. That is, the electromagnetic induction heater can generate heat only by using a container capable of electromagnetic induction heating, and materials such as copper or aluminum have very low electron induction efficiency, and thus, the electromagnetic induction heating cannot expect efficient heat generation. Particularly, in the case of stainless steel, when the iron content is low, proper induction is not possible with the electromagnetic induction heating.

On the other hand, the suitability of the electromagnetic induction heating according to the material of the container is not easy to distinguish with the naked eye, and if you use a container of a material that is not suitable for the electromagnetic induction heating, waste of power and damage to the device occurs.

Referring to Figure 1, the configuration of a conventional electromagnetic induction heater is as follows.

The conventional electromagnetic induction heater has an induction power source having at least one working coil which receives an electric power from the power supply unit 11 and a predetermined electric power from the power supply unit 11 and generates an eddy current in the cooking vessel R by the electric induction effect. An inverter unit 14 for providing a resonance voltage to the working coil by switching the heat unit 12, the voltage supplied from the power supply unit 11 according to a switching control signal, and a controller 13 for controlling overall operation. It is configured to include.

The power supply unit 11 converts the pulsating DC voltage rectified from the AC power input AC into a constant DC voltage and supplies the voltage to the inverter unit 14. At this time, the user puts the food to be cooked in the cooking vessel and selects the corresponding button through the operation unit to start cooking.

On the other hand, since the current flowing to the switching element of the inverter unit 14 is driven in response to the switching control signal generated from the control unit, the working coil and the resonance capacitor are continuously connected by the DC voltage input from the inverter unit 14. It becomes a resonance state. Therefore, a large resonance current flows through the working coil.

A magnetic field is generated in the working coil by the resonance current, and an eddy current is induced in the cooking vessel R to be heated due to the electromagnetic induction effect by the magnetic field, thereby heating the cooking vessel R, and the cooking vessel R Food in it is heated to a heating temperature.

At this time, the control unit 13 detects a signal supplied to the load and compares it with a predetermined reference value, and drives the inverter unit 14 alternately to drive the switching coil to cause resonance of the working coil and the resonance capacitor.

By repeating the operation as described above to make the cooking while heating the food in the cooking vessel.

In addition, a change in current occurs in the coil in the resonance circuit according to the material of the cooking vessel R. The control unit 13 uses the signals output from the power supply unit 11 and the induction heating unit 12 to prepare the cooking vessel. The suitability of (R) is determined.

However, the above-described conventional induction heater has the following problems.

First, the conventional electromagnetic induction heater has a ceramic plate covering the working coil, it is difficult to place the cooking container in the correct position with the working coil, there was a hassle to try several times to place the cooking container in the correct position.

Second, when the cooking vessel is not placed in the correct position on the ceramic plate, the cooking is not well, the energy efficiency of the electromagnetic induction heater is not high.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an easy to use electromagnetic induction heater and its control method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic induction heater and a method of controlling the same, wherein cooking is performed smoothly regardless of the position where the cooking container is placed.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a power supply unit, an induction heating unit having at least one working coil for generating an eddy current in the cooking vessel by receiving a predetermined power from the power supply unit, and the working coil of the induction heating unit predetermined Provided is an electromagnetic induction heater comprising a position adjusting unit for moving to a position of, and a control unit for controlling the position adjusting unit and collecting predetermined data to determine an optimal heating position of the working coil.

The electromagnetic induction heater preferably further comprises an inverter unit for switching the voltage supplied from the power supply unit to provide a resonance voltage to the working coil. The control unit may further determine whether the state of the cooking vessel is within the cooking region using the predetermined signal detected from the power supply unit and the induction heating unit. The control unit may further determine whether the position of the working coil is necessary by using a predetermined signal detected from the power supply unit and the induction heating unit.

On the other hand, the electromagnetic induction heater is preferably connected to the control unit further includes a display unit for displaying the operating state of the electromagnetic induction heater. The electromagnetic induction heater may further include a signal unit which informs a user that cooking is started when cooking is started by determining an optimum heating position in the controller.

The position adjusting unit preferably includes at least one rail for moving the working coil in a predetermined direction. In addition, the rail is more preferably made of two shaft forms perpendicular to each other. On the other hand, it is preferable that the first region in which the working coil is movable in the position adjusting unit is defined differently according to the number of the working coils.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the control method of an electromagnetic induction heater, the present invention collects predetermined data for determining an optimal heating position of the working coil while moving the working coil in the first region. A second step of determining the optimum heating position of the working coil by comparing the first step with the collected data, and storing the determined value; and optimizing the working coil by the position adjusting unit according to the stored value of the optimum heating position. It provides a control method of an electromagnetic induction heater comprising a third step of moving to a heating position.

The control method may further include determining whether the state of the cooking vessel is within the cooking region by using signals detected from the power supply unit and the induction heating unit before the first step. The control method may further include displaying that cooking is impossible when the state of the cooking vessel is not within the cooking region and ending the operation of the electromagnetic induction heater.

On the other hand, the control method preferably comprises a step of determining whether the position adjustment of the working coil using the signals detected from the power supply unit and the induction heating unit before the first step. The control method may further include displaying a current optimum heating positioning state when the controller determines an optimal heating position of the working coil. In addition, the control method preferably includes a step of informing the user that cooking is started when cooking is started by determining an optimum heating position.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to facilitate the use of the electromagnetic induction heater and to increase the energy efficiency of the electromagnetic induction heater.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention that can specifically realize the above object will be described.

2 and 3, the configuration of the electromagnetic induction heater according to the present invention will be described.

Electromagnetic induction heater 100 according to the present invention is a cooking vessel (R) by receiving a power supply unit 110, a DC power input from the power supply unit 110, by using an electric induction effect by a magnetic field generated by resonance. Induction heating unit 120 having at least one or more working coils 121 to induce an eddy current to heat food in the cooking vessel (R) and the working coil 121 of the induction heating unit 120 A position adjusting unit 150 capable of moving to a predetermined position and a control unit 130 controlling the position adjusting unit 150 and collecting predetermined data to determine an optimal heating position of the working coil 121. It is made to include. In addition, the electromagnetic induction heater preferably further includes an inverter unit 140 for switching the voltage supplied from the power supply unit 110 to provide a resonance voltage to the working coil 121.

The power supply unit 110 is a rectifying unit (not shown) for rectifying a pulsating DC voltage through a bridge diode, and a smoothing unit (not shown) for making the pulsating DC voltage of the rectifying unit to a constant DC voltage using a choke coil and a smoothing capacitor. Is usually provided.

The induction heating unit 120 receives a constant DC voltage from the power supply unit 110 to generate a working coil 121 to generate an eddy current, and the working coil to form a voltage source for driving the induction heating unit 120. And a capacitor for resonance connected in parallel to 121. The working coil 121 generates a magnetic field in the working coil 121 by resonance, and an eddy current is induced in the cooking vessel R to be heated due to the electromagnetic induction effect by the magnetic field, thereby heating the cooking vessel R. The food in the cooking vessel R is heated to a heating temperature.

The controller 130 controls the position adjusting unit 150 and controls the overall operation of the electromagnetic induction heater. In addition, it is preferable to control the position adjusting unit 150 by determining whether the state of the cooking vessel R is within the cooking region using a predetermined signal detected from the power supply unit 110 and the induction heater 120. Do.

Specifically, the determination of whether or not the cooking zone is within the cooking region is performed by comparing the detection value calculated from the signals detected from the power supply unit 110 and the induction heating unit 120 with a predetermined cooking suitable reference value. The detection value is generally calculated from the magnitude of the current detected from the power supply unit 110 and the induction heating unit 120. The cooking conformance reference value is an experimental value determined according to the material of the cooking vessel R, the capacity of the working coil 121, or the like.

On the other hand, not being within the cooking region can be interpreted in two ways.

First, when the material of the cooking vessel R is not suitable for the electromagnetic induction heating, the determination result indicates that the cooking vessel R is not in the cooking region even when the cooking vessel R is placed at a suitable position. Next, even if the material is suitable for electromagnetic induction heating, the same determination result is obtained even when the material cannot be moved to the optimum heating position by the movement of the working coil 121.

In addition, the control unit 130 determines whether the position adjustment of the working coil 121 is necessary by using a predetermined signal detected from the power supply unit 110 and the induction heating unit 110 to determine the position adjustment unit 150. It is desirable to control. Specifically, the determination of whether the position adjustment is necessary consists of comparing the detected value with a predetermined cooking start required value before moving the working coil 121. The cooking start required value is an experimental value determined by the material of the cooking vessel R, the capacity of the working coil 121, or the like.

The determination of the necessity of the position adjustment is to start heating in the current state without going through a separate moving coil 121 moving step when a constant heating efficiency can be obtained in consideration of both cooking speed and energy efficiency. . That is, when the cooking vessel R is located at a position substantially close to the position of the working coil 121, the data is separately collected for optimal heating position or start cooking without moving the working coil 121 through optimal positioning. Done. Therefore, the cooking start required value means a value that must be satisfied to obtain a constant heating efficiency.

The position adjusting unit 150 is a component for moving the working coil 121 of the induction heating unit to a predetermined position, and the structure for movement is not limited. More specifically, it is preferable that the working coil 121 includes at least one rail 151 to move in a predetermined direction.

The rail 151 serves to move the operation coil in the extension direction of the rail. The rail may consist of one axis. In the form of such a rail, there is an advantage that the structure is simple and the cost is reduced, but the movement range of the working coil 121 is limited.

Therefore, the rail 151 is preferably composed of two axes that are generally orthogonal. In this type of rail, the working coil 121 may be moved to an arbitrary position on the plane, and the position of the working coil 121 may be represented and stored as an ordered pair of two coordinate values, for example, (X, Y). have. It is also possible to configure the rail with three or more axes.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the electromagnetic induction heater, illustrating a form consisting of two axes orthogonal to the rail 151.

Referring to Figures 4a, 4b, 4c, the operation of the position adjusting unit and the control unit according to the position of the cooking vessel will be described as follows.

First, the working coil 121 has a predetermined range in which movement is possible, which is defined as a first area 155.

First, as shown in Figure 4a, if the cooking vessel is not located in the first region 155, even if the working coil 121 is moved it is impossible to cook at the desired energy efficiency. Therefore, when the position of the cooking vessel R is located outside the first region 155, the controller 130 immediately terminates the operation of the electromagnetic induction heater without moving the position of the working coil 121. In this case, it is desirable to inform the user that cooking is impossible out of the area.

4B illustrates a case in which the cooking vessel R is close to the position of the operation coil 121. In this case, since the detection value satisfies the cooking start required value and no moving coil 121 is moved, the control unit 130 immediately starts cooking.

4C illustrates a case in which a cooking container is located in the first region 155 but does not satisfy a cooking start required value. In this case, it is necessary to move the working coil 121 to the optimum heating position. Accordingly, the controller 130 determines the optimum heating position while moving the working coil 121 and transmits a control signal to the position adjusting unit 150 to move the working coil 121 to the optimal heating position.

The electromagnetic induction heater includes a display unit 160 which displays a current optimal heating positioning state when the controller 130 determines an optimal heating position of the working coil 121. Specifically, it is preferable that the display unit 160 displays a state of the cooking vessel, a state in which cooking is impossible when the outside of the cooking region is possible, a search movement state of the working coil, an optimal heating position determination state, and the like, when the display 160 is initially driven.

The electromagnetic induction heater further includes a signal unit 170 which informs the user that cooking is started when cooking is started by determining the optimum heating position in the controller 130. Signals that inform the user can be visual or audio means. As a visual means, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a predetermined notification may be applied, and the audible means may be applied to a buzzer or a recorded voice.

Referring to FIG. 5, the shape of the first region according to the number of working coils is as follows.

The first region 155 in which the working coil is movable in the position adjusting unit 150 is defined differently according to the number of the working coils 121. That is, the working coil 121 may be configured in plural as necessary, and the first area 155 may vary according to the number of working coils 121.

In general, the first region 155 is defined in a circular shape, and in an electromagnetic induction heater having a plurality of working coils 121, a plurality of firsts having a circular shape around each working coil 121 are formed. Region 155 is configured. Therefore, the working coil 121 in the first region 155 in which the cooking vessel is located moves to the optimum heating position.

Referring to Figure 6, the control method of the electromagnetic induction heater is as follows.

When the user places the cooking vessel on the ceramic plate and operates the electromagnetic induction heater through the operation unit, first, a signal is detected from the power supply unit and the induction heating unit (S1), and the state of the cooking vessel is detected using the detected signal. Determine whether you are inside. In detail, it is determined whether the state of the cooking vessel is within the cooking region by comparing the detection value calculated from the signals detected from the power supply unit and the induction heating unit with a predetermined cooking conformance reference value (S3).

As a result of the determination, if it is not within the cooking region, it indicates that cooking is impossible (S4), and the operation of the electromagnetic induction heater is terminated (S41). In this case, it is preferable to indicate to the user that the material of the container is inadequate or that the position is out of the moving range of the working coil so that cooking is impossible.

On the other hand, if it is determined that it is within the cooking region, it is determined whether the position adjustment of the working coil is necessary using the signals detected from the power supply unit and the induction heating unit (S5). Specifically, it is determined whether the position adjustment of the walking coil is necessary by comparing the detected value with a predetermined cooking start required value.

As a result of the determination, when the detected value satisfies the cooking start required value, the cooking starts immediately without moving the working coil (S6). In this case, it is desirable to inform the user of the start of cooking.

If the detected value does not satisfy the cooking start required value, the step of collecting the predetermined data for determining the optimal heating position of the walking coil while moving the working coil in the first region (S7). ). Next, by comparing the collected data to determine the optimum heating position of the working coil to store the determined value (S9). Then, the working coil is moved to the optimum heating position by the position adjusting unit according to the stored value of the optimum heating position (S13).

On the other hand, after the moving coil is moved, when the control unit determines the optimal heating position of the working coil, displaying the current optimal heating positioning state (S11), and when the cooking is started by determining the optimum heating position, It is preferable to perform step S15 informing the user that cooking is started.

Then, after cooking is completed, it is preferable that the working coil further includes a step of returning the working coil back to its original position.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and as can be seen in the appended claims, modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to the effects of the electromagnetic induction heater and the control method according to the present invention described above are as follows.

First, it prevents trial and error performed to put the cooking container directly above the working coil, and it is convenient for the user to prevent the cooking failure.

Second, the working coil of the electromagnetic induction heater is moved to the optimal heating position to start cooking, the energy efficiency is high.

Claims (15)

A power supply unit; An induction heating unit having at least one working coil which receives a predetermined power from the power supply unit and generates an eddy current in the cooking vessel; A position adjusting unit for moving the working coil of the induction heating unit to a predetermined position; And a control unit which controls the position adjusting unit and collects predetermined data to determine an optimal heating position of the working coil. The method of claim 1, The electromagnetic induction heater further comprises an inverter unit for switching the voltage supplied from the power supply unit to provide a resonant voltage to the working coil. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And the control unit uses the predetermined signal detected from the power supply unit and the induction heating unit to determine whether the state of the cooking vessel is within the cooking region. The method of claim 3, And the control unit uses the predetermined signal detected from the power supply unit and the induction heating unit to determine whether position adjustment of the working coil is necessary. The method of claim 4, wherein The electromagnetic induction heater further comprises a display unit connected to the control unit to display an operating state of the electromagnetic induction heater. The method of claim 4, wherein The electromagnetic induction heater further comprises a signal unit for informing the user that cooking is started when cooking is started by determining the optimum heating position in the control unit. The method of claim 4, wherein The position adjusting unit includes an electromagnetic induction heater, characterized in that it comprises at least one rail for moving the working coil in a predetermined direction. The method of claim 7, wherein The rail is an electromagnetic induction heater, characterized in that formed in the form of two axes perpendicular to each other. The method of claim 4, wherein And a first region in which the working coil is movable in the position adjusting unit is defined differently according to the number of the working coils. A first step of collecting predetermined data to determine an optimal heating position of the working coil while moving the working coil in a first movable region; Comparing the collected data to determine an optimal heating position of the working coil, and storing the determined value; And a third step of moving the working coil to an optimum heating position by a position adjusting unit according to the stored value of the optimum heating position. The method of claim 10, The control method may further include determining whether a state of a cooking vessel is within a cooking region by using signals detected from the power supply unit and the induction heating unit before the first step. Control method. The method of claim 11, The control method may further include displaying that cooking is impossible when the state of the cooking vessel is not within the cooking region and terminating the operation of the electromagnetic induction heater. . The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, The control method further comprises the step of determining whether the position adjustment of the working coil using the signals detected from the power supply unit and the induction heating unit before the first step, the control of the electromagnetic induction heater Way. The method of claim 13, The control method may further include displaying a current optimum heating positioning state when the controller determines an optimum heating position of the working coil. The method of claim 13, The control method further comprises the step of informing the user that cooking is started when cooking is started by determining the optimum heating position.

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