WO2022079738A1

WO2022079738A1 - An induction heating disk

Info

Publication number: WO2022079738A1
Application number: PCT/IN2021/050985
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alistair SEAN D'ROZARIO
Original assignee: Sean Drozario Alistair
Priority date: 2020-10-14
Filing date: 2021-10-14
Publication date: 2022-04-21

Abstract

The present subject matter discloses an induction heating disk (100). The induction heating disk (100) comprises a planar induction disk (101), a plurality of tabs (102) and a rigid structure (103). The planar induction disk (100) is adapted to generate heat when subjected to magnetic induction field. The plurality of tabs (102) have their first ends fixedly attached to the planar induction disk (101) to control deformation of the planar induction disk (101). The rigid structure (103) is adapted to receive second ends of the plurality of tabs (102) for facilitating distribution of stress generated due to controlled deformation of the planar induction disk (101), and maintaining a gap between the planar induction disk (101) and the rigid structure (103) to avoid shielding of magnetic induction field by edges of the rigid structure (103).

Description

AN INDUCTION HEATING DISK

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present disclosure relates to an induction heating disk. More particularly, the induction heating disk, according to the present invention, is designed to have controlled deformation when subjected to magnetic induction field which results in providing structural stability to the induction heating disk as well as controlled heated region.

BACKGROUND

[002] Generally, an induction heating disk is used as heating component in most of the generic cookware. The induction heating disk is subjected to magnetic induction field for generation of heat.

[003] The induction heating disk is usually made up of electrically conductive material. When this induction heating disk is subjected to magnetic induction field, eddy currents are inducted on the induction heating disk. Eddy current are loops of electric current inducted within electrically conductive material by application of changing/time varying magnetic field (magnetic induction filed).

[004] The surface over which the eddy current flows generates heat due to the phenomenon of resistance. The heat generated is directly proportional to the strength of the magnetic induction field.

[005] The heat generated in the induction heating disk cause the disk to expand and deform. When heated, the induction heating disk suffers deformation due to many factors such as impurities, imbalance, internal stress, etc leading to non- uniform generation of heat. The non-uniform generation of heat, in some regions of the induction heating disk, makes these regions more vulnerable to deformation than the others.

[006] These vulnerable points are more susceptible to lose structural integrity which results in structural collapse of the induction heating disk.

[007] One approach towards eliminating the deformation is to increase the rigidity of the induction heating disk by increasing the thickness of the induction heating disk. Increasing the thickness of the induction heating disk restrict the extent of deformation, but it increases the power consumption of the induction heating disk. Also, the disk still deforms at slower rate. Therefore, increasing the thickness of the induction heating disk only shifts the rate of deformation and does not eliminate deformation.

[008] Other approach towards eliminating the non-uniform deformation is to use an electrically conductive material with low coefficient of thermal expansion. However, these materials are very expensive and add to the cost of manufacturing. [009] For wider applicability of the induction heating disk, there is a necessity to use the induction heating disk at their incandescent temperature and the thickness of the induction heating disk is kept as thin as possible to save energy. However, in doing so the existing induction heating disk loses structural integrity and in some cases even detach from their structural anchored bodies.

[010] Accordingly, there is a need for an induction heating disk which is designed to have controlled deformation even at incandescent temperature, when subjected to magnetic induction field, and eliminate prospect of losing structural integrity of vulnerable points and stress control points as well as controlled heated regions.

SUMMARY

[Oil] This summary is provided to introduce invention related to an induction heating disk. The invention is further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[012] The present subject matter discloses an induction heating disk. The induction heating disk comprises a planar induction disk, a plurality of tabs and a rigid structure. The planar induction disk is adapted to generate heat when subjected to magnetic induction field. The plurality of tabs have their first ends fixedly attached to the planar induction disk to control deformation of the planar induction disk. The rigid structure is adapted to receive second ends of the plurality of tabs for facilitating distribution of stress generated due to controlled deformation of the planar induction disk, and maintaining a gap between induction disk and the rigid structure to avoid shielding of magnetic induction field by edges of the rigid structure.

[013] In an aspect, the planar induction disk includes a heating region adapted to generate heat and a cold spot region adapted to restrict heat generation in vulnerable points and/or stress control points and/or to facilitate heat generation in heating region by channeling magnetic field towards heating region.

[014] In an aspect, cold spot region is provided at least on the vulnerable points and the stress control points.

[015] In an aspect, the profile of the cold spot region is fabricated to have discontinuities to eliminate formation of eddy current loops in the cold spot region and to redirect the current towards heating region of the planar induction disk.

[016] In an aspect, the first ends of the plurality of tabs are attached in the cold spot region provided on the planar induction disk.

[017] In an aspect, the planar induction disk is made up of electrically conductive material.

[018] In an aspect, orientation of the plurality of tabs is maintained perpendicular to the planar induction disk to ensure effective transmission of rigidity to the planar induction disk.

[019] In an aspect, a cavity is formed in the center of the planar induction disk to maintain planar contour of the planar induction disk.

[020] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.

[021] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[022] The illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein: [023] FIG. 1 illustrates assembled view of an exemplary induction heating disk that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[024] FIG. 2 illustrates exploded view of an exemplary induction heating disk that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[025] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[026] A few aspects of the present disclosure are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Example implementations are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows.

Definitions

[027] In the disclosure hereinafter, one or more terms are used to describe various aspects of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, a few definitions are provided herein for better understating of the present disclosure.

[028] “ Magnetic Induction Field' may be defined as a changing/time varying magnetic field which is used to induce eddy current in electrically conductive material.

[029] “Electrically Conductive Material” may be defined as materials which are capable of inducing eddy current when subjected to magnetic induction field.

[030] “Incandescent Temperature” is defined as the temperature at which the electrically conductive material start emitting electromagnetic radiation (including visible light) as a result of its high temperature.

[031] “ Vulnerable Points” may be defined as points which are susceptible to losing structural integrity due to generation of heat in the induction heating disk.

[032] “Heating Region” may be defined as the region on planar induction disk where heat generation is desired.

[033] “ Cold Spot Region” may be defined as the region where temperature is significantly lower than the remaining part of the planar induction disk.

[034] “Stress Control Points” may be defined as the points on the planar induction disk which are structurally weak due to stress resulting from control deformation of planar induction disk.

EXEMPLARY IMPLEMENTATIONS

[035] While the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary and non- limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. Not all of the depicted components described in this disclosure may be required, however, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components from those expressly described in this disclosure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the claims as set forth herein.

[036] An induction heating disk is a planar disk made of electrically conductive materials. This induction heating disk is placed in magnetic field created by the induction coil. The induction magnetic field which is created by the induction coil is used to induce eddy current in the induction heating disk. Due to induction of eddy current in the induction heating disk, the disk generates heat. This generation of heat may or may not be uniform over the surface of the induction heating disk. There are some vulnerable points and some stress control points on the induction heating disk where the generation of heat is undesirable. These vulnerable points and the stress control points are more susceptible to lose structural integrity and/or deform.

[037] To solve the problem, an induction heating disk is required which is designed to have controlled deformation when subjected to magnetic induction field, and eliminate prospect of losing structural integrity of vulnerable points and stress control points.

[038] In order to achieve this goal, an induction heating disk may be utilized. The features of the induction heating disk are described in more details below.

[039] Referring to FIG. 1 illustrating assembled view of an exemplary induction heating disk that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The induction heating disk 100 comprises a planar induction disk 101, a plurality of tabs 102 and a rigid structure 103. The planar induction disk 101 is a disk shaped component of the induction heating disk 100 which is made up of electrically conductive material. The planar induction disk 101 is adapted to generate heat when subjected to magnetic induction field. The plurality of tabs 102 are provided around the outer periphery of the planar induction disk 101 to hold the planar induction disk 101. First ends of the plurality of tabs 102 are fixedly attached to the outer periphery of the planar induction disk 101 to facilitate controlled deformation of the planar induction disk 101. Second ends of the plurality of tabs 102 are fixedly attached to the rigid structure 103. The rigid structure 103 is provided in the induction heating disk 100 to provide strength to whole assembly. The rigid structure 103 is adapted to facilitate distribution of stress generated on the first end of the plurality of tabs 102 resulting from controlled deformation of the planar induction disk 101.

[040] In an aspect, the gap between rigid structure 103 and the planar induction disk 101 is kept to avoid shielding of magnetic induction field by the edges of the rigid structure 103. It also ensures that penetration of magnetic induction field by the planar induction disk 101 is maximal.

[041] In an aspect, orientation of the plurality of tabs 102, which are provided preferably at the stress control points on the planar induction disk 101, is maintained perpendicular to the planar induction disk 101 to ensure efficiently transmitting rigidity to the planar induction disk.

[042] Referring to FIG. 2 illustrating exploded view of an exemplary induction heating disk that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The planar induction disk 100 includes a heating region 201 and a cold spot region 202. The cold spots are mainly provided in the vulnerable points and the stress control points.

[043] In an aspect, the vulnerable points includes center of the planar induction disk 101 and the stress control points includes outer periphery of the planar induction disk 101.

[044] The center of the planar induction disk 101 has vulnerable points because the eddy current generated due to the magnetic induction field is concentrated in the center. Further, the outer periphery of the planar induction disk 101 has stress control point because the pluralities of tabs 102 are fixedly attached to the planar induction disk 101 in this region. The point of contact of the plurality of tabs 102 and the outer periphery of the planar induction disk 101 is a weak point. At incandescent temperature, the outer periphery of the planar induction disk 101 becomes considerably weak and joint between the plurality of tabs 102 and the planar induction disk 101 may break down. Due to this the whole structure of the induction heating disk 100 collapse. To facilitate controlled uniform deformation at incandescent temperature in the planar induction disk 101 and to eliminate prospect of losing structural integrity of vulnerable points and stress control points, cold spots are provided over these points.

[045] When planar induction disk 101 is subjected to induction magnetic field, eddy current (loop of electrical current) is induced in the planar induction disk 101. This induced eddy current generates heat in the planar induction disk 101. The cold spots provided in the cold spot region does not allow this eddy current (loop of electric current) to form. The profile of the cold spots has discontinuities 203 which restrict the formation of current loop in cold spot region of the planar induction disk. Further, these discontinuities 203 in the profile of the cold spots direct the current towards heating region 201 of the planar induction disk 101. In this way, the cold spots not only restrict generation of heat in cold spot region 202, but also focus the heat generation in heating region 201 of the planar induction disk 101. Thus, heating region 201 is the only region where heating due to induction of eddy current occur.

[046] In an aspect, the cold spots are integral part of the planar induction disk 101 which are fabricated on the surface of the planar induction disk 101 by introducing discontinuities 203. However, it is not mandatory to fabricate the cold spots on the planar induction disk 101 integrally. The cold spots could also be provided separately in the cold spot region 202 of the planar induction disk 101.

[047] In an aspect, the cold spot region 202 and the heating region 201 of the planar induction disk 101 are made up of same electrically conductive material. Therefore, even the cold spot regions of the planar induction disk 101 are capable of absorbing induction magnetic field and directing the same towards heating region 201 of the planar induction disk 101. However, it is not mandatory to fabricate the heating region 201 and the cold spot region 202 of the planar induction disk 101 with same electrically conductive material. Different electrically conductive material could also be used.

[048] The center of the planar induction disk 101 has vulnerable points because the eddy current generated due to the magnetic induction field is concentrated in the center. As a result, deformation in center of the planar induction disk 101 is more than deformation on the outer periphery of the planar induction disk 101 which has stress control points. Since the deformation in central region of the planar induction disk 101 is high, the center deform towards upwards/downwards. To avoid such deformation, a cavity 104 may be provided in the center of the planar induction disk 101 resulting in preservation of planar contour of the planar induction disk 101.

ADVANTAGES

[049] The induction heating disk of the present subject matter ensures controlled uniform deformation of the planar induction disk at incandescent temperature, when subjected to magnetic induction field, and eliminates prospect of losing structural integrity of vulnerable points and stress control points. Further, the induction heating disk of the present subject matter is economical as the solution to the problem of controlled uniform deformation is provided independent to the type of electrically conductive material used. Furthermore, the induction heating disk of the present subject matter use less energy as the thickness of the planar induction disk is kept limited.

[050] Also, the induction heating disk of the present subject matter is energy efficient as the cold spots not only restrict generation of heat in cold spot region, but also focus the heat generation in heating region of the planar induction disk. [051] The above description does not provide specific details of the manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.

[052] Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.

[053] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.

[054] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

We Claim:

1. An induction heating disk (100), comprising: a planar induction disk (101) adapted to generate heat when subjected to magnetic induction field; a plurality of tabs (102) having their first ends fixedly attached to the planar induction disk (101) to control deformation of the planar induction disk (101); and a rigid structure (103), adapted to receive second ends of the plurality of tabs (102), for facilitating distribution of stress generated due to controlled deformation of the planar induction disk (101), and maintaining a gap between induction disk (101) and the rigid structure (103) to avoid shielding of magnetic induction field by edges of the rigid structure (103).

2. The induction heating disk as claimed in claim 1, wherein the planar induction disk (101) includes a heating region (201) adapted to generate heat and a cold spot region (202) adapted to restrict heat generation in vulnerable points and/or stress control points and/or to facilitate heat generation in heating region (201) by channeling magnetic field towards heating region (201).

3. The induction heating disk (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein cold spot region is provided at least on the vulnerable points and the stress control points.

4. The induction heating disk (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the profile of the cold spot region (202) is fabricated to have discontinuities (203) to eliminate formation of eddy current loops in the cold spot region (202) and to redirect the current towards heating region (201) of the planar induction disk (101).

5. The induction heating disk (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first ends of the plurality of tabs (102) are attached in the cold spot region (202) provided on the planar induction disk (101).

6. The induction heating disk (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the planar induction disk (101) is made up of electrically conductive material.

7. The induction heating disk (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein orientation of the plurality of tabs (102) is maintained perpendicular to the planar induction disk (101) to ensure effective transmission of rigidity to the planar induction disk (101).

8. The induction heating disk (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cavity (104) is formed in the center of the planar induction disk (101) to maintain planar contour of the planar induction disk (101).