KR101860490B1 - Induction range to detect position of container - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an induction range capable of sensing the position of a container. The induction range includes: an induction coil for heating a container by electric induction heating; a plurality of ferrite cores disposed on the rear surface of the induction coil while being radially spaced apart from each other; a sensing coil disposed to surround the ferrite cores and having conductivity; an inverter unit for providing a high frequency current to the induction coil; and a control unit electrically connected to the sensing coil to detect a voltage or current flowing through the sensing coil. According to the above configuration, it is possible to detect the position of the container on the induction coil, the degree of deviation of the container, and metallic foreign substances other than the container, without using an expensive sensor. It is not necessary to reset the cooking option when the container is moved from an existing crater to another crater, and the inverter can be prevented from being damaged when the container is suddenly removed during heating.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an induction range for detecting a container position,

The present invention relates to an induction range capable of sensing the position of a container.

In recent years, there has been widely used an induction range that can reduce indoor air pollution and room temperature rise due to the absence of waste gas emissions. Such an induction range uses an indirect method of inducing heat to the heating body itself, There is a high safety advantage.

The electromagnetic induction heating method is applied to high efficiency magnetic induction technique. In the induction range, a magnetic flux is generated when a high frequency current of 25 KHz or more is supplied to a hot wire wound with a coil, and a vortex current is generated at the center of the flux, and the container itself is heated and cooked by the electrical resistance of the metal container. Therefore, since only the inside of the container is heated, the heat efficiency is high, and the cooking time can be shortened.

The induction range has less oxygen consumption than gas range and does not exhaust waste gas, it can reduce indoor air pollution and room temperature rise, and the top plate with hot wire does not get hot, so it is safe and easy to clean because it does not stick to press. In addition, the induction range is superior to the gas range and highlight method in terms of safety, thermal efficiency, and heating speed.

Since the induction range is a method of heating a magnetic object placed on the induction coil, when a child or the like inadvertently raises a metal foreign object such as a scissors or a knife on the induction coil at home, it is recognized as a container and heated.

In addition, when the user places the container above the center of the induction coil, the effect of the magnetic force line is reduced to the extent that the container is deviated to reduce the thermal efficiency, but it is difficult for the user to check each time.

Also, among the components of the induction range, the inverter provides the high frequency current with the induction coil, and there is a possibility that the inverter is overcurrent due to malfunction or overload. In particular, when the container is suddenly removed from the induction coil during heating, an overcurrent occurs instantaneously at both ends of the induction coil, resulting in damage to the inverter. Therefore, there is a need for means to protect the inverter when the container is suddenly removed from the induction range.

In the general induction range, you can select the cooking menu at the desired time and temperature for each vessel. However, if the container being heated is moved from the existing crater to another crater and continued cooking, the induction range is recognized as a new container. There is an inconvenience to reset the option.

Korean Patent No. 10-1531213 Korean Patent No. 10-0768251

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for detecting a position of a container on an induction coil, There is no need to reset the cooking option when moving from one crater to another, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an induction range that can prevent damage to the inverter when the container is suddenly removed during heating.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an induction range including: an induction coil for heating a container by an electric induction heating method; A plurality of ferrite cores disposed radially spaced apart from the back surface of the induction coil; A sensing coil disposed to surround the ferrite core and having conductivity; An inverter unit for providing a high-frequency current to the induction coil; A control unit electrically connected to the sense coil to detect a voltage or a current flowing in the sense coil; .

Further, the sensing coils are respectively installed in the ferrite cores spaced apart at a predetermined interval, and the control unit detects voltage or current flowing through each of the sense coils when the container is placed on the induction coil, And detects the position of the container placed on the induction coil from the magnitude of the voltage or current of the sense coil.

A display unit for displaying a position of the container placed on the induction coil by a signal transmitted from the control unit; .

When the user moves the container placed on the first induction coil over the second induction coil, the control unit controls the movement of the sensing coil, which is installed on the first induction coil, And the movement of the container can be determined from a change in voltage or current of the sense coils installed in the second induction coil.

Further, when the user suddenly removes the container placed on the induction coil, the control unit senses a change in voltage or current in the sense coil and protects the inverter unit by lowering the current flowing to the induction coil.

According to the present invention, it is possible to detect the position of the container on the induction coil, the degree of deviation of the container, and metal foreign substances other than the container at a low cost by the sense coil surrounding the felt core, It is not necessary to reset the cooking option when moving to another crater and it is possible to provide an induction range which can prevent the inverter from being damaged when the container is suddenly removed during heating.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of an induction range according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an induction range according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view for explaining a method of recognizing a position of a container in an induction range according to an embodiment of the present invention and displaying the position on the display unit.
4 is a view for explaining a method of detecting foreign matter on an induction coil in an induction range according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a method of detecting movement of a container when moving the container from one crater to another in the induction range of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements throughout the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of an induction range according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an induction range according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a view for explaining a method of recognizing a position of a container in an induction range according to an embodiment of the present invention and displaying the position on the display unit. 4 is a view for explaining a method of detecting foreign matter on an induction coil in an induction range according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a method of detecting movement of a container when moving the container from one crater to another in the induction range of the present invention.

1 and 2, the induction range of the present invention includes an induction coil 110, a ferrite core 120, a sense coil 130, an inverter unit 160, a display unit 170, a control unit 150, .

The induction coil 110 heats the vessel by an electric induction heating method. The induction coil 110 induces an eddy current in the container 10 by an electromagnetic induction effect by a magnetic field generated by a high frequency current to heat the inside of the container 10.

The ferrite core 120 is disposed radially spaced from the back surface of the induction coil 110. The ferrite core 120 may have a rod shape and may be radially spaced apart so that the plurality of ferrite cores 120 extend outward from the center of the induction coil 110, respectively.

The sense coil 130 is installed to surround the ferrite core 120 with conductivity. The sense coil 130 surrounds the bar-shaped ferrite core 120 at a position spaced apart from the center of the induction coil 110 by a predetermined distance in the radial direction. The sense coils 130 are installed in the ferrite core 120 spaced apart at predetermined intervals so as to sense the position of the container 10 placed on the induction coil 110. In this embodiment, the sense coils 130 are installed so as to surround the ferrite core 120 with three spaced apart.

The inverter unit 160 provides a high-frequency current for heating the induction coil 110, and is controlled by the controller 150.

The controller 150 is electrically connected to the sense coils 130 to detect a voltage or a current (hereinafter, referred to as a current) flowing through the sense coils 130. When a high frequency current is provided by the inverter unit 160 in a state where the container 10 is placed on the induction coil 110, a current also flows in the sense coil 130 surrounding the ferrite core 120. The magnitude of the current flowing through the sensing coil 130 changes according to the distance between the sensing coil 130 and the container 10 and increases when the container 10 is positioned directly above the sensing coil 130, The smaller the container 10 is, the smaller it becomes.

For example, each of the sense coils 130 is connected to each signal conversion unit 140, and information detected by the signal conversion unit 140 is transmitted to the control unit 150. The control unit senses the voltage or current flowing through the three sense coils 130 from the information transmitted by the signal conversion unit 140 to determine the position of the container placed on the induction coil 110 have.

The display unit 170 displays the position of the container placed on the induction coil 110 by the signal transmitted from the controller 150 so that the user can see the position of the container.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the position of each sense coil 130 (131, 132, 133) positioned relative to the induction coil 110 in a plan view is shown schematically. The sensing coil 130 may include a first sensing coil 131, a second sensing coil 132, and a third sensing coil 133.

When the container 10 is positioned on the induction coil 110, the magnitude of the current flowing through the sense coils 131, 132, and 133 is determined by the first to third sense coils 131, 132, It becomes invisible. In this case, the control unit 150 displays the container 10 on the display unit 170 on the induction coil 110 as shown in FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), when the container 10 is biased to the left upper side above the induction coil 110, the container 10 includes the first sensing coil 131, The upper surface of the third sensing coil 133 is completely covered, but the third sensing coil 133 is not covered or only partially covered. Accordingly, a normal current is detected in the first sensing coil 131 and the second sensing coil 132, but a weak current is detected in the third sensing coil 133. The controller 150 determines that the container 10 is biased toward the first sensing coil 131 and the second sensing coil 132 and transmits the determination result to the display unit 170. [ The display unit 170 displays the container 10 in the form of being shifted from the induction coil 110 to the upper left corner.

3 (c), when the container 10 is placed at the lower end of the induction coil 110 at a lower position, the container 10 has the second sensing coil 132 and the third sensing coil 133 are completely covered but the first sense coil 131 is not covered or only partially covered. Accordingly, a normal current is detected in the second sensing coil 132 and the third sensing coil 133, but a weak current is detected in the first sensing coil 131. The controller 150 determines that the container 10 is biased toward the second sensing coil 132 and the third sensing coil 133 and transmits the same to the display unit 170. [ The display unit 170 displays the container 10 in a state where the container 10 is offset toward the lower end from the induction coil 110.

As described above, in the induction range of the present invention, a plurality of sense coils 130 having a very simple structure are installed in the ferrite core 120 without installing expensive sensors, And the signal from the sense coils 130 can use the existing empty CPU input port, so that the additional cost is minimized.

On the other hand, in the conventional induction range, it takes a relatively long time to determine the presence or absence of the container 10 because the current flowing through the induction coil is sensed to determine the presence of the container 10. If the container 10 is suddenly removed while the container 10 is placed on the induction coil and the controller 10 judges the presence or absence of the container 10, an overcurrent may instantaneously occur in the induction coil and the inverter may be damaged.

However, in the induction range of the present invention, when the container 10 is suddenly removed while heating the container 10 on the induction coil 110, the absence of the container 10 is detected immediately by the current change of the sense coil 130 And the control unit 150 controls the current flowing in the induction coil 110 to be lowered to prevent the inverter unit 160 from being damaged due to the transient response.

In addition, since the user sees the vessel 10 from above while cooking, it is often difficult to recognize whether the vessel 10 is properly placed on the induction coil 110. If the container 10 is not positioned correctly on the induction coil 110, it may take more time to heat as well as energy loss.

Since the position of the container 10 placed on the induction coil 110 by the sense coil 130 can be seen by the user through the display unit 170 in the present invention, Heating time and energy loss can be reduced.

4, a foreign substance (for example, a scissors or a knife) other than the container 10 may be placed on the induction coil 110 at the long end of the infant or the like. In the conventional induction range, the foreign substance 20 is also recognized as the container 10 and heated.

On the contrary, in the induction range of the present invention, when the foreign substance 20 is placed on the induction coil 110, the sense coil 130 can sense the foreign matter. In general, the container 10 has a circular shape, while the metallic foreign substance 20 such as a scissors or a knife has an elongated shape different from the container 10, and in this case, the shape of the current sensed by the sense coil 130 is Which is significantly different from the container 10.

For example, when a foreign substance 20 such as scissors is placed on the first sensing coil 131, the current is detected to be high in the first sensing coil 131, but the second sensing coil 132 and the third sensing coil 133), the current is very low or almost not detected. For example, in the case of the foreign substance 20, the type of the current detected by the sense coil 130 is not limited to the case of the container (not shown) such that the current is detected only in two or less of the three sense coils 130 The control unit 150 determines that the foreign matter 20 is placed on the induction coil 110 and does not heat it or sends a warning message.

Referring to FIG. 5, in the induction range, the induction coils 110 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, such as the first to third induction coils 110, 210, and 310, respectively. That is, the induction range may have a plurality of craters having the same or different sizes. In this case, the first to third sensing coils 131, 132 and 133 are connected to the first induction coil 110 and the first to third sensing coils 231, 232 and 233 are connected to the second induction coil 210 And the first to third sensing coils 331, 332, and 333 are installed in the third induction coil 310, respectively.

In the case of the conventional induction range, when the user moves the container 10 placed on one of the induction coils to another induction coil during heating, the control unit recognizes the new container 10, and the user needs to reset the cooking menu do.

In contrast, when the user moves the container 10 placed on the first induction coil 110 to the second induction coil 210, the first to third sensing coils 131 of the first induction coil 110 232, and 233 of the second induction coil 210 and the first to third sense coils 231, 232, and 233 of the first induction coil 210 and the second induction coil 210, respectively.

That is, when the user moves the container 10 from the first induction coil 110 to the second induction coil 210, the first to third sensing coils 131, 132, 133 of the first induction coil 110, The currents of the first to third sense coils 231, 232 and 233 of the second induction coil 210 are increased.

The change of the current occurs almost simultaneously and the control unit 150 detects the current change of the first to third sensing coils 131, 132, 133 and the first to third sensing coils 231, 232, It is determined that the user 10 has moved, and the cooking menu for the container 10 can be set to the same condition, thereby improving user convenience.

As described above, in the induction range of the present invention, a plurality of sense coils 130 are installed in a manner to surround the ferrite core 120, the position of the vessel 10 can be determined at a very low cost, 160 can be prevented from being damaged.

It is also possible to easily determine whether the foreign substance 20 is placed on the induction coil 110. When the same container 10 moves from one to another, It can be set automatically without setting.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention will be.

10: container
20: Foreign matter
110: induction coil
120: ferrite core
130: sense coil
131: first sensing coil
132: second sense coil
133: third sense coil
140: Signal conversion section
150:
160: Inverter
170:

Claims (5)

In the induction range,
An induction coil for heating the container by an electric induction heating method;
A plurality of ferrite cores spaced radially from the back surface of the induction coil and having a long bar shape;
A plurality of sense coils installed to surround the ferrite core in a width direction and having conductivity;
An inverter unit for providing a high-frequency current to the induction coil;
A control unit electrically connected to the sense coil to detect a voltage or a current flowing in the sense coil;
Lt; / RTI >
Wherein the sense coils are respectively installed in the ferrite cores spaced apart at predetermined intervals,
The control unit detects the voltage or current flowing through each of the sense coils when the container is placed on the induction coil and detects the position of the container placed on the induction coil from the magnitude of voltage or current of each of the sense coils Induction range. delete The method according to claim 1,
A display unit for displaying a position of the container placed on the induction coil by a signal transmitted from the control unit;
And an induction range. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein a plurality of induction coils are provided at predetermined intervals,
When the user moves the container placed on the first induction coil over the second induction coil, the control unit controls the voltage of the sense coil installed in the first induction coil and the voltage or current of the sense coil installed in the second induction coil An induction range in which movement of the container can be judged from a change. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein when the user suddenly removes the container placed on the induction coil, the control unit senses a change in voltage or current in the sense coil and protects the inverter unit by lowering the current flowing to the induction coil.

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