Patent ID: 12200848

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, one or more implementations of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains may easily perform the present disclosure. The present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the examples described herein.

In implementing the present disclosure, for convenience of explanation, components may be described by being subdivided; however, these components may be implemented in a device or a module, or a single component may be implemented by being divided into a plurality of devices or modules.

Hereinafter, one or more implementations of an induction heating type cooktop will be described.

FIG.1is a diagram illustrating an example of an induction heating type cooktop. Referring toFIG.1, an induction heating type cooktop10may include a case25, a cover plate20, working coils WC1and WC2(that is, first and second working coils), and thin films TL1and TL2(that is, first and second thin films).

The working coils WC1and WC2may be installed in the case25.

In some implementations, a variety of devices related to driving of a working coil other than the working coils WC1and WC2may be installed in the case25. For example, the devices relating to driving of a working coil may include a power part for providing alternating current power, a rectifying part for rectifying alternating current power from the power part to direct current power, an inverter part for inverting the direct power rectified by the rectifying part to a resonance current through a switching operation, a control part for controlling operations of various devices in the induction heating type cooktop10, a relay or a semi-conductor switch for turning on and off a working coil, and the like. Regarding this, a detailed description will be herein omitted.

The cover plate20may be coupled to a top of the case25, and may include an upper plate15for placing a target object to be heated on the top.

For example, the cover plate20may include the upper plate15for placing a target object to be heated, such as a cooking vessel.

In some examples, the upper plate15may be made of a glass material (e.g., ceramic glass).

In some implementations, an input interface may be provided in the upper plate15to receive an input from a user and transfer the input to a control part that serves as an input interface. The input interface may be provided at a position other than the upper plate15.

The input interface may be configured to allow a user to input a desired heat intensity or an operation time of the induction heating type cooktop10. The input interface may be implemented in various forms, such as a mechanical button or a touch panel. The input interface may include, for example, a power button, a lock button, a power control button (+, −), a timer control button (+, −), a charging mode button, and the like. The input interface may transfer an input provided by a user to a control part for the input interface, and the control part for the input interface may transfer the input to the aforementioned control part (that is, a control part for an inverter). The aforementioned control part may control operations of various devices (e.g., a working coil) based on an input (that is, a user input) provided from the control part for the input interface, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In some examples, the control part may be a controller, a processor, or an electric circuit.

The upper plate15may visually display whether the working coils WC1and WC2are being driven or not and intensity of heating (that is, thermal power). For example, a fire hole shape may be displayed in the upper plate15by an indicator that includes a plurality of light emitting devices (e.g., light emitting diodes (LEDs)) provided in the case25.

The working coils WC1and WC2may be installed inside the case25to heat a target heating object.

Specifically, driving of the working coils WC1and WC2may be controlled by the aforementioned control part. When the target heating object is positioned on the upper plate15, the working coils WC1and WC2may be driven by the control part.

In some implementations, the working coils WC1and WC2may directly heat a magnetic target heating object (that is, a magnetic object) and may indirectly heat a nonmagnetic target heating object (that is, a nonmagnetic object) through the thin films TL1and TL2which will be described in the following.

The working coils WC1and WC2may heat a target heating object by employing an induction heating method and may be provided to overlap the thin films TL1and TL2in a longitudinal direction (that is, a vertical direction or an up-down direction).

AlthoughFIG.1illustrates that two working coils WC1and WC2are installed in the case25, but aspects of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For instance, one working coil or three or more working coils may be installed in the case25. Yet, for convenience of explanation, an example in which two working coils WC1and WC2are installed in the case25will be described.

The thin films TL1and TL2may be coated on the upper plate15to heat a nonmagnetic object among target heating objects.

Specifically, the thin films TL1and TL2may be coated on at least one of a top surface and a bottom surface of the upper plate15and may be provided to overlap the working coils WC1and WC2in a longitudinal direction (that is, a vertical direction or an up-down direction). Accordingly, it may be possible to heat the corresponding target heating object, regardless of a position and a type of the target heating object.

The thin films TL1and TL2may have at least one of a magnetic property and a nonmagnetic property (that is, either or both of the magnetic property and the nonmagnetic property).

In addition, the thin films TL1and TL2may be made of, for example, a conductive material, such as an aluminum, and may be coated on an upper surface of the upper plate15in the shape in which a plurality of rings having different diameters is repeated, as shown in the drawing. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

That is, the thin films TL1and TL2may include a material other than a conductive material and may be coated on the upper plate15by taking a different form. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, an example in which the thin films TL1and TL2is made of a conductive material and coated on the upper plate15in the form of a plurality of rings having different diameters will be described.

In some implementations, two thin films TL1and TL2are provided as illustrated inFIG.1, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, one thin film or three or more thin films may be coated. However, for convenience of explanation, one implementation in which the two thin films TL1and TL2are coated is described as an example.

FIG.1is a diagram illustrating an exemplary dispositional relationship between elements used in the present disclosure. Therefore, shapes, numbers, and positions of the elements should not be construed as being limited to the example shown inFIG.2.

The thin films TL1and TL2will be described later in more detail.

FIG.2is a diagram illustrating example elements provided inside a case of the induction heating type cooktop shown inFIG.1.

Referring toFIG.2, the induction heating type cooktop10may further include an insulator35, a shield plate45, a support member50, and a cooling fan55.

Since elements disposed in the surroundings of a first working coil WC1are identical to elements disposed in the surroundings of a second working coil WC2(the working coil inFIG.1), the elements (e.g., the first thin film TL1, the insulator35, the shield plate45, the support member50, and the cooling fan55) in the surroundings of the first working coil WC1will be hereinafter described for convenience of explanation.

The insulator35may be provided between a bottom surface of the upper plate15and the first working coil WC1.

Specifically, the insulator35may be mounted to the cover plate20, that is, the bottom of the upper plate15. The first working coil WC1may be disposed below the insulator35.

The insulator35may block heat, which is generated when the first thin film TL1or a target heating object HO is heated upon driving of the first working coil WC1, from being transferred to the first working coil WC1.

That is, when the first thin film TL1or the target heating object HO is heated by electromagnetic induction of the first working coil WC1, heat of the first thin film TL1or the target heating object HO may be transferred to the upper plate15and the heat transferred to the upper plate15may be transferred to the first working coil WC1, thereby possibly causing damage to the first working coil WC1.

By blocking the heat from being transferred to the first working coil WC1, the insulator35may prevent or reduce damage of the first working coil WC1caused by the heat and furthermore prevent or reduce degradation of heating performance of the first working coil WC1.

A spacer, which is not an essential constituent element, may be installed between the first working coil WC1and the insulator35.

Specifically, the spacer may be inserted between the first working coil WC1and the insulator35, so that the first working coil WC1and the insulator35do not directly contact each other. Accordingly, the spacer may block heat, which is generated when the first thin film TL1and the target heating object HO are heated upon driving of the first working coil WC1, from being transferred to the first working coil WC1through the insulator35.

That is, since the spacer may share the role of the insulator35, it may be possible to minimize a thickness of the insulator35and accordingly minimize a gap between the target heating object HO and the first working coil WC1.

In addition, a plurality of spacers may be provided, and the plurality of spaces may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the gap between the first working coil WC1and the insulator35. Accordingly, air suctioned into the case25by the cooling fan55may be guided to the first working coil WC1by the spacer.

That is, the spacer may guide air, introduced into the case25by the cooling fan55, to be properly transferred to the first working coil WC1, thereby improving cooling efficiency of the first working coil WC1.

The shield plate45may be mounted to a bottom of the first working coil WC1to block a magnetic field occurring downwardly upon driving of the first working coil WC1.

Specifically, the shield plate45may block the magnetic field occurring downwardly upon driving of the first working coil WC1and may be supported upwardly by the support member50.

The support member50may be installed between a bottom surface of the shield plate45and a bottom surface of the case25to support the shield plate45upwardly.

Specifically, by supporting the shield plate45upwardly, the support member50may indirectly support the insulator35and the first working coil WC1upwardly. In doing so, the insulator35may be brought into tight contact with the upper plate15.

As a result, it may be possible to maintain a constant gap between the first working coil WC1and the target heating object HO.

The support member50may include, for example, an elastic object (e.g., a spring) to support the shield plate45upwardly, but aspects of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. In addition, the support member50is not an essential element and thus it may be omitted from the induction heating type cooktop10.

The cooling fan55may be installed inside the case25to cool the first working coil WC1.

Specifically, driving of the cooling fan55may be controlled by the aforementioned control part and the cooling fan55may be installed at a side wall of the case25. The cooling fan55may be installed at a position other than the side wall of the case25. In an implementation, for convenience of explanation, an example in which the cooling fan55is installed at the side wall of the case25will be described.

The cooling fan55may suction outdoor air from the outside of the case25, as shown inFIG.2, and transfer the suctioned air to the first working coil WC1. The cooling fan55may suction indoor air (e.g., heated air) of the case25and discharge the suctioned air to the outside of the case25.

In doing so, it may be possible to efficiently cool internal elements (e.g., first working coil WC1) of the case25.

In some examples, the outdoor air transferred from the outside of the case25to the first working coil WC1by the cooling fan may be guided to the first working coil WC1by the spacer. Accordingly, it may be possible to directly and efficiently cool the first working coil WC1, thereby improving endurance of the first working coil WC1. That is, it may be possible to improve the endurance by preventing or reducing thermal damage.

In some examples, the induction heating type cooktop10may include one or more of the above-described features and configurations. Hereinafter, features and configurations of the aforementioned thin film will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS.3to6.

FIGS.3and4are diagrams illustrating a relation between a thickness and a skin depth of a thin film.FIGS.5and6are diagrams illustrating a variation of impedance between a thin film and a target heating object depending on a type of the target heating object.

The first thin film TL1and the second thin film TL2have the same technical features, and the thin film TL1and TL2may be coated on the top surface or the bottom surface of the upper plate15. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the first thin film TL1coated on the top surface of the upper plate15will be described as an example.

The first thin film TL1has the following features.

In some implementations, the first thin film TL1may include a material having a low relative permeability.

For example, since the first thin film TL1has a low relative permeability, the skin depth of the first thin film TL1may be deep. The skin depth may refer to a depth by which a current may penetrate a material surface, and the relative permeability may be disproportional to the skin depth. Accordingly, the lower the relative permeability of the first thin film TL1, the deeper the skin depth of the first thin film TL1.

In some examples, the skin depth of the first thin film TL1may have a value greater than a value corresponding to a thickness of the first thin film TL1. That is, since the first thin film TL1has a thin thickness (e.g., a thickness of 0.1 μm˜1,000 μm) and a skin depth of the first thin film TL1is greater than the thickness of the first thin film TL1, a magnetic field occurring by the first working coil WC1may pass through the first thin film TL1and be then transferred to the target heating object HO. As a result, an eddy current may be induced to the target heating object HO.

That is, as illustrated inFIG.3, when the skin depth of the first thin film TL1is narrower than the thickness of the first thin film TL1, it is difficult for the magnetic field occurring by the first working coil WC1to reach the target heating object HO.

In some implementations, as illustrated inFIG.4, when the skin depth of the first skin depth TL1is deeper than the thickness of the first thin film TL1, most of the magnetic field generated by the first working coil WC1may be transferred to the target heating object HO. That is, since the skin depth of the first thin film TL1is deeper than the thickness of the first thin film TL1, the magnetic field generated by the first working coil WC1may pass through the first thin film TL1and most of the magnetic field energy may be dissipated in the target heating object HO. In doing so, the target heating object HO may be heated primarily.

Since the first thin film TL1has a thin thickness as described above, the thin film TL1may have a resistance value that allows the first thin film TL1to be heated by the first working coil WC1.

Specifically, the thickness of the first thin film TL1may be disproportional to the resistance value of the first thin film TL1(that is, a sheet resistance value). That is, the thinner the thickness of the first thin film TL1coated on the upper plate15, the greater the resistance value (that is, the sheet resistance) of the first thin film TL1. As thinly coated on the upper plate15, the first thin film TL1may change in property to a load resistance at which heating may be possible.

The first thin film TL1may have a thickness of, for example, 0.1 μm to 1,000 μm, but not limited thereto.

The first thin film TL1having the above-described characteristic is present to heat a nonmagnetic object, and thus, an impedance property between the first thin film TL1and the target heating object HO may vary according to whether the target heating object HO positioned on the top of the upper plate15is a magnetic object or a nonmagnetic object.

One or more examples, where the target heating object is a magnetic object, will be described in the following.

Referring toFIGS.2and5, when the first working coil WC1is driven while a magnetic target heating object HO is positioned on the top of the upper plate15, a resistance component R1and an inductor component L1of the magnetic target heating object HO may form an equivalent circuit to that of a resistance component R2and an inductor component L2of the first thin film TL1.

In this case, in the equivalent circuit, an impedance (that is, an impedance of R1and L1) of the magnetic target heating object HO may be smaller than an impedance (that is, an impedance of R2and L2) of the first thin film TL1.

Accordingly, when the aforementioned equivalent circuit is formed, the magnitude of an eddy current I1applied to the magnetic target heating object HO may be greater than the magnitude of an eddy current I2applied to the first thin film TL1. More specifically, most of eddy currents may be applied to the target heating object HO, thereby heating the target heating object HO.

That is, when the target heating object HO is a magnetic object, the aforementioned equivalent circuit may be formed and most of eddy currents may be applied to the target heating object HO. Accordingly, the first working coil WC1may directly heat the target heating object HO.

Since some of eddy currents is applied even to the first thin film TL1, the first thin film TL1may be heated slightly. Accordingly, the target heating object HO may be indirectly heated to a certain degree by the thin film TL1. However, a degree to which the target heating object HO is heated indirectly by the first thin film TL1may not be considered significant, as compared with a degree to which the target heating object HO is heated directly by the first working coil WC1.

One or more examples, where a target heating object is a nonmagnetic object, will be described in the following.

Referring toFIGS.2and6, when the working coil WC1is driven while a nonmagnetic target heating object HO is positioned on the top of the upper plate15, an impedance may not exist in the nonmagnetic target heating object HO but exists in the first thin film TL1. That is, a resistance component R and an inductor component L may exist only in the first thin film TL1.

Accordingly, an eddy current I may be applied only to the first thin film TL1and may not be applied to the nonmagnetic target heating object HO. More specifically, the eddy current I may be applied only to the first thin film TL1, thereby heating the first thin film TL1.

That is, when the target heating object HO is a nonmagnetic object, the eddy current I may be applied to the first thin film TL1, thereby heating the first thin film TL1. Accordingly, the nonmagnetic target heating object HO may be indirectly heated by the first thin film TL1that is heated by the first working coil WC1.

To put it briefly, regardless of whether the target heating object HO is a magnetic object or a nonmagnetic object, the target heating object HO may be heated directly or indirectly by a single heating source which is the first working coil WC1. That is, when the target heating object HO is a magnetic object, the first working coil WC1may directly heat the target heating object HO, and, when the target heating object HO is a nonmagnetic object, the first thin film TL1heated by the first working coil WC1may indirectly heat the target heating object HO.

As described above, the induction heating type cooktop10may be capable of heating both a magnetic object and a nonmagnetic object. Thus, the induction heating type cooktop10may be capable of heating a target heating object regardless of a position and a type of the target heating object. Accordingly, without determining whether the target heating object is a magnetic object or a nonmagnetic object, a user is allowed to place the target heating object in any heating region on the top plate, and therefore, convenience of use may improve.

In some examples, the induction heating type cooktop10may directly or indirectly heat a target heating object using the same heating source, and therefore, a heat plate or a radiant heater may not be included in the induction heating type cooktop10. Accordingly, it may be possible to increase heating efficiency and cut down a material cost.

Hereinafter, an induction heating type cooktop will be described.

FIG.7is a diagram illustrating an example of an induction heating type cooktop.FIG.8is a diagram illustrating example elements provided inside a case of the induction heating type cooktop shown inFIG.7.FIG.9is a diagram illustrating an example of a target heating object positioned at the induction heating type cooktop shown inFIG.7.

An induction heating type cooktop2is identical to the induction heating type cooktop10shown inFIG.1, except for some elements and effects. Hence, a difference compared to the induction heating type cooktop10will be focused and described.

Referring toFIGS.8and9, the induction heating type cooktop2may be a zone-free cooktop.

Specifically, the induction heating type cooktop2may include a case25, a cover plate20, a plurality of thin films TLGs, an insulator35, a plurality of working coils WCGs, a shield plate45, a support member50, a cooling fan, a spacer and a control part.

Here, the plurality of thin films TLGs and the plurality of WCGs may overlap in a traverse direction and may be disposed to correspond to each other in a one-to-one relationship. The plurality of thin films TLGs and the plurality of thin films WCGs may be in a many-to-many relationship rather than the one-to-one relationship. In some implementations, for example, the plurality of thin films TLGs and the plurality of working coils WCGs may be arranged in a one-to-one relationship.

For instance, the induction heating type cooktop2may be a zone-free cooktop including the plurality of thin films TLGs and the plurality of working coils WCGs, and therefore, it may be possible to heat a single target heating object HO by using some or all of the plurality of working coils WCGs at the same time or by using some or all of the plurality of thin films TLGs at the same time. In some examples, it may be possible to heat the target heating object HO by using both some or all of the plurality of working coils WCG and some or all of the plurality of thin films TLGs.

Accordingly, as shown inFIG.9, in a region where the plurality of working coils WCG (seeFIG.8) and the plurality of thin films TLG are present (e.g., a region of the upper plate15), it may be possible to heat target heating objects HO1and HO2, regardless of sizes, positions, and types of the target heating objects HO1and HO2.

In some implementations, a thin film may be heated by an induction heating method, and a container (that is, a target heating object HO) disposed at the upper plate15is made of a non-magnetic material. Thus, when an induction heated thin film TL is used as the main source of heating to heat the target heating object HO, the thin film TL has a sufficient thickness to secure sufficient inverter control performance. In addition, the heating of the target heating object HO by the induction heated thin film TL is due to heat transfer from the thin film TL. Thus, the wider the area where the thin film TL and the target heating object HO contact each other, the higher efficiency of the target heating object HO. Referring toFIG.10, heat may be more efficiently conducted from a thin film to a target heating object HO in a thin film shape having a large area, compared to thin film shapes each having a smaller area than that of the thin film shape having the large area.

In some cases, where the target heating object HO is made of a magnetic material and capable of being directly induction heated, if a thin film TL is in the thin film shape having a large area, the thin film TL may be at a higher proportion to be induction heated and therefore a temperature increase rate of the thin film TL may increase. When it is detected that a temperature of the thin film TL is heated to or above the limit temperature, the output of the working coil WC may be reduced to maintain stability. If a target heating object HO made of a magnetic material is heated, the temperature of the thin film TL may reach the limit temperature rapidly and hence a process for reducing the output of the working coil WC may be performed.

In some examples, the heating efficiency of the target heating object HO made of a magnetic material may be undermined. In some examples, in order to improve the heating efficiency of the target heating object HO made of a magnetic material, the thin film TL may have a small area. For example, a small-area thin film shape may have a higher efficiency of the object made of a magnetic material than a large-area thin film shape. In the other words, in order to achieve both the heating efficiency of a target heating object HO made of a non-magnetic material and the heating efficiency of a target heating object HO made of a magnetic material, an appropriate width of the thin film TL should be determined. In some examples, a heating mechanism may be optimized for each material of a target heating object HO based on a shape and a pattern design of the thin film TL.

In some examples, a thin film shape for improving heating efficiency may have a shape in which a gap is formed between a plurality of thin films TL forming a closed loop, and accordingly, a heating area of a target heating object HO may be reduced. When the plurality of thin films TL forms the closed loop, the plurality of thin films TL may be coupled with a magnetic field from the working coil WC. Therefore, a large coupling force may be achieved using the plurality of thin films TL each having a narrow width and forming the closed loop. However, since the strength of the magnetic field is not uniform, heat of high temperature may occur in some of the plurality of thin films TL. In addition, as the heating area decreases, the size of a resistance component of an equivalent circuit decreases and the size of an inductance component increases. Further, the absence of heat conduction in a portion where a thin film TL is not present undermines the heating efficiency of a target heating object HO made of a non-magnetic material.

In some examples, a thin film shape for improving heating efficiency may have a shape in which a closed loop of a current induced in a thin film TL does not to include the central portion of the working coil WC may be used. This shape has a weak coupling force with a magnetic field. Thus, in the case where a thin film TL is formed in the aforementioned shape and a target heating object HO is made of a magnetic material, induction heating of the thin film TL may be induction heated to a degree relatively larger, compared to other thin film shapes. Accordingly, the heating efficiency of the target heating object HO made of the magnetic material may be relatively high for a heating area of the target heating object HO.

In some cases, the resistance component of the equivalent circuit formed by a thin film TL may have a small size, and the driving frequency of the working coil WC may tend to become relatively very low compared to the driving frequency of the target heating object HO made of a magnetic material. Accordingly, it may be difficult to perform an appropriate output control.

As such, the heating efficiency of a target heating object HO may be different according to a shape of a thin film TL. The present disclosure proposes an optimal shape of a thin film TL to provide a shape of the thin film TL for increasing the heating efficiency of a target heating object HO made of various materials.

FIG.10is a block diagram illustrating example components included in an induction heating cooktop1000configured to control an output based on a component temperature.

In some implementations, the cooktop1000may include an upper plate1010coupled to a top of a case and allowing an object HO to be placed at a top of the upper plate1010, a working coil1050provided inside the case to heat the object HO, a thin film1020disposed at least one of the top and bottom of the upper plate1010, at least one temperature sensor1040configured to measure a temperature of at least one component including the thin film1020, and a microcontroller unit (MCU)1030configured to drive the working coil1050and control an output of the working coil1050based on whether the temperature measured by the at least one temperature sensor1040satisfies at least one condition. In some examples, the MCU1030may include an electric circuit, an integrated circuit, a controller, a processor, or the like.

FIG.11is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of controlling an output of the working coil1050based on whether a measured temperature of a component satisfies a preset condition.

In some implementations, the cooktop1000may, in operation S1110measure a temperature of at least one component including the thin film1020in operation S1110. In some implementations, the measured temperature may be used in various forms as information for the MCU1030to control the output of the working coil1050.

In operation S1120, the cooktop1000may control the output of the working coil1050based on whether the temperature measured in operation S1110satisfies at least one preset condition.

In some implementations, at least one condition may be preset for each of at least one component and may be a condition related to a temperature of a corresponding component. In some implementations, when a temperature of at least one component is measured by the temperature sensor1040, the MCU1030may determine whether the measured temperature satisfies at least one condition preset for each component. For example, the MCU1030may divide possible component temperatures to be measured by the temperature sensor1040into a plurality of temperature sections and may determine which temperature section includes a measured temperature of each component to thereby determine whether a corresponding component satisfies at least one preset condition.

In some implementations, at least one condition may be preset for each component. For example, the MCU1030may divide possible component temperatures to be measured by the temperature sensor1040into a plurality of temperature sections and may determine which of the plurality of temperature sections includes a measured temperature of a corresponding component, and at least one temperature section which may include each measured temperature may be set differently for each component.

In some implementations, at least one type of the temperature sensor1040may be used according to a component whose temperature is to be measured. For example, a thermocouple may be used as a temperature sensor1040for measuring a temperature of the thin film1020heated to a relatively high temperature, and various conventional temperature sensors (e.g., a thermistor and the like) may be used as a temperature sensor1040for measuring a temperature of for other parts heated to a relatively low temperature. However, the type of the temperature sensor is not necessarily limited to the above examples, and various types of the temperature sensor may be used within a range obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In some implementations, the temperature sensor1040for measuring a temperature of the thin film1020may be arranged to contact a portion to be induction heated to a highest temperature in the thin film1020. In some implementations, a portion to be heated to the highest temperature in the thin film1020may vary according to a specific shape of the thin film1020. For example, in a ring-shaped thin film1020or a disc-shaped thin film1020including a hollow portion, the temperature sensor1040may be arranged at a central portion (that is, the middle between the outer peripheral portion and the inner peripheral portion (or the center of a disc-shaped thin film)) based on a radial direction of the thin film1020, so that the temperature sensor1040may measure a portion to be heated to a predetermined temperature or higher in the thin film1020.

FIG.12is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for controlling an output depending on whether there is a component with a temperature equal to or higher than a preset temperature among components with temperatures measured.

In some implementations, in operation S1210, the cooktop1000may measure a temperature of at least one component including the thin film1020.

In operation S1220, the cooktop1000may determine whether there is a component measured to a preset temperature or higher among components of which temperatures are measured.

In some implementations, the MCU1030may measure a temperature of each component and determine which temperature section includes a measured temperature of a corresponding component among at least one temperature section set for the corresponding component. In some implementations, the MCU1030may control an output of the working coil1050by determining which temperature section includes a measured temperature of each component.

In some implementations, when it is determined that a temperature of a component measured by the temperature sensor1040is included in one of temperature sections equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold temperature or in one of temperature sections preset for the corresponding component, the MCU1030may, in operation1230, reduce an output of the working coil1050based on a result of comparison between the current output of the working coil1050and a target output set by a user.

In some implementations, a preset condition is about whether a measured temperature of a component is included one of temperature sections equal to or higher than an arbitrary threshold temperature. How much higher the temperature of the component is compared to the threshold temperature may be determined based on a preset temperature section. Accordingly, the MCU1030may determine the degree of reducing the output of the working coil1050according to which preset temperature section includes a temperature of a corresponding component among the preset temperature sections equal to or higher than the preset threshold temperature. For example, the higher the temperature section including the temperature of the component is, the higher the degree of reducing the output of the working coil1050may be set.

In some implementations, in order to reduce the output of the working coil1050based on what a component is, the MCU1030may determine whether a temperature of the component satisfies a preset condition (for example, which temperature section including the temperature of the component), and may determine the degree of reducing the output of the working coil1050based on the determination. This will be described later through various examples.

In some implementations, when it is determined that the temperature of the component measured by the temperature sensor1040corresponds to a temperature section lower than the arbitrary threshold temperature or does not correspond to any of the temperature sections preset for the corresponding component, the MCU1030may, in operation S1240, increase or maintain the output of the working coil1050based on a result of comparison between the current output of the working coil1050and a target output set by the user.

In some implementations, when the target output set by the user is higher than the current output of the working coil1050, the MCU1030may increase the output of the working coil1050.

In some implementations, when the current output of the working coil1050and the target output set by the user are equal, the MCU1030may maintain the current output of the working coil1050.

In some implementations, when the target output set by the user is lower than the current output of the working coil1050, the MCU1030may determine the operation of the working coil1050as an abnormal operation and hence block the output of the working coil1050.

FIG.13is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for controlling an output of the working coil1050based on a plurality of component risk levels that are determined based on a temperature of a component.

For example, in operation S1310, the cooktop1000may measure a temperature T of at least one component.

In some implementations, based on the temperature measured in operation S1310, the MCU1030may determine a risk level of a component whose temperature is measured.

In some implementations, the MCU1030may determine whether the temperature of the corresponding component is equal to or higher than T1in operation S1320. In some implementations, when the temperature of the corresponding component is not equal to or higher than T1(that is, T<T1), the MCU1030may determine the risk level of the corresponding component as L1in operation S1322.

In some implementations, when the temperature of the corresponding component is equal to or higher than T1, the MCU1030may determine whether the temperature of the corresponding component is equal to or higher than T2in operation S1330. In some implementations, when the temperature of the corresponding component is equal to or higher than T1but not equal to or higher than T2(that is, T1≤T<T2), the MCU1030may determine the risk level of the corresponding component as L2in operation S1332.

In some implementations, when the temperature of the corresponding component is equal to or higher than T2, the MCU1030may determine whether the temperature of the corresponding component is equal to or higher than T3in operation S1330. In some implementations, when the temperature of the corresponding component is equal to or higher than T2but not equal to or higher than T3(that is, T2≤T<T3), the MCU1030may determine the risk level of the corresponding component as L3in operation S1332.

In some implementations, when the temperature of the corresponding component is equal to or higher than T3(that is, T3≤T), the MCU1030may determine the risk level of the corresponding component as L4in operation S1334.

However, the temperature sections described as at least one condition preset for each component are not necessarily limited to the above-described examples, and it should be understood that the temperature sections may be implemented in various ranges, numbers, and the like within a range obvious to those skilled in the art.

In some implementations, the MCU1030may control the output of the working coil based on the risk level of the corresponding component determined in operation S1322, S1332, or S1342. In some implementations, when the risk level of the corresponding component is L1, the MCU1030may maintain the current output of the working coil1050. In some implementations, when the risk level of the corresponding component is, for example, L2or L2which is higher than L1, the MCU1030may reduce the output of the working coil1050to a degree corresponding to the risk level of the corresponding component. The method in which the MCU1030controls the output of the working coil1050based on the risk level of the corresponding component may be implemented through various examples described in the present disclosure.

FIG.14is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for controlling an output of the working coil1050by determining a risk level of a component according to a temperature of the component measured at each period and comparing a risk level measured at a previous period with a risk level measured at a current period.

In operation S1410, the cooktop1000may measure a temperature of at least one component to determine a risk level of the at least one component. Measuring the temperature of the at least one component and determining the risk level of the at least one component in operation S1410may be implemented through various examples described above with reference toFIG.13and the like.

In some implementations, the cooktop1000may determine measure the temperature of the at least one component at each arbitrary period to determine the risk level of the at least one component.

The cooktop1000may determine the risk level of the at least one component in operation S1410and may determine a current risk level of the at least one component based on a temperature measured at the next period in operation S1420. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the risk level determined in operation S1420will be referred to as a current risk level, and the risk level determined in operation S1410performed before operation S1420will be referred to as a previous risk level.

In some implementations, the cooktop1000may compare the previous risk level and the current risk level in operation S1430.

In some implementations, the cooktop1000may identify whether a risk level of a component increases or decreases over time by comparing the previous risk level with the current risk level.

In some implementations, when it is determined in operation S1430that the previous risk level is lower than the current risk level, the MCU1030may reduce the output of the working coil1050.

In some implementations, when it is determined that the previous risk level is lower than the current risk level, the cooktop1000may determine whether the current risk level is equal to or higher than a preset risk level in operation S1440. In some implementations, when the current risk level is equal to or higher than the preset risk level, the cooktop1000may block the output of the working coil1050in operation S1442. In some implementations, when the current risk level is lower than the preset risk level, the cooktop1000may reduce the output of the working coil1050in operation S1444.

In some implementations, when it is determined in operation S1430that the previous risk level is higher than the current risk level, the cooktop1000may determine whether an output set by the user is greater than a current output in operation S1450. That is, if it is determined that the previous risk level is higher than the current risk level, this may mean that the risk level is decreasing over time (that is, the temperature of the component is decreasing), and thus, it may be regarded as a situation in which the MCU1030has controlled the working coil1050to reduce the output of the working coil1050. In this case, if the output of the working coil1050is reduced to or below the output set by the user and thus a heating process continues to be performed at a temperature far lower than a heating temperature desired by the user, the user may feel uncomfortable in use. In some implementations, for convenience in use, when it is determined that the risk level is decreasing, the cooktop1000may control the working coil1050so that the output of the working coil1050does not fall below the output set by the user.

In some implementations, when it is determined in operation S1450that the output set by the user is greater than the current output, the cooktop1000may increase the output of the working coil1050in operation S1452. In some implementations, the degree of increasing the output may be proportional to a difference between the output set by the user and the current output. In doing so, it may be possible to prevent or reduce a sudden increase in the output and maintain the stability of use.

In some implementations, when it is determined that the output set by the user is greater than the current output, the cooktop1000may directly modify the output of the working coil1050to the output set by the user. In doing so, it is possible to control the output of the working coil1050to quickly follow the output set by the user, thereby improving convenience in use.

In some implementations, only when a difference between the output set by the user and the current output falls within in a preset range and it is determined that the output set by the user is greater than the current output, the cooktop1000may modify the output of the working coil1050to the output set by the user. In doing so, it may be possible to prevent or reduce a sudden increase of the output of the working coil1050and control the output of the working coil1050to quickly follow the output set by the user, thereby improving the stability and ease of use.

In some implementations, when it is determined in operation S1430that the previous risk level is equal to the current risk level or when it is determined in operation S1450that the output set by the user is not greater than the current output, the cooktop1000may maintain the current output of the working coil1050in operation S1454.

FIG.15is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for determining a degree of reducing an output of the working coil1050by determining a temperature increase rate of the thin film1020.

In some implementations, the cooktop1000may measure a temperature of the thin film1020included in at least one component in operation S1510.

In some implementations, the cooktop1000may determine whether the temperature of the thin film1020measured in operation S1510is equal to or higher than a preset threshold temperature in operation S1512. In some implementations, when the temperature of the thin film1020is lower than the threshold temperature, the cooktop1000may maintain an output of the working coil1050to an output set by a user.

In some implementations, the cooktop1000may determine a temperature increase rate based on the temperature, measured in operation S1510, in operation S1520. In some implementations, a temperature increase rate of the thin film1020may be determined at each predetermined period, and the temperature increase rate may be determined based on a difference between a temperature measured at a previous period and a temperature measured at a current period.

In some implementations, the cooktop1000may determine whether the temperature increase rate determined in operation S1520is equal to or greater than a preset rate in operation S1530.

In some implementations, when it is determined that the temperature increase rate determined in operation S1530is less than the preset rate, the cooktop1000may reduce the output of the working coil1050to a preset degree in operation S1540.

In some implementations, the cooktop1000may determine which of a plurality of preset rate sections the temperature increase rate determined in operation S1520is included in. For example, through a process corresponding to the process of determining a risk level of a component based on a measured temperature inFIG.13, the degree of increasing the temperature increase rate may be determined. In some implementations, the cooktop1000may determine that a temperature increase rate V is included in which of a plurality of temperature sections (for example, a first section (V<V1), a second section (V1≤V<V2), a third section (V2≤V<V3), and a fourth section (V3≤V).

In some implementations, the cooktop1000may determine the degree of reducing the output of the working coil1050based on which temperature section includes the temperature increase rate. In some implementations, when the temperature increase rate V is included in the first section (V<V1), the cooktop1000may determine an output reduction degree as D1. In some implementations, using N rate sections where a temperature increase rate may be determined, the cooktop1000may determine the output reduction degree as Dn when the temperature increase rate is included in the N sections (Vn≤V<Vn+1).

For example, when the temperature increase rate V is included in the second section (V1≤V<V2), the cooktop1000may determine the output reduction degree as D2. In another example, when the temperature increase rate V is included in the third section (V2≤V<V3), the cooktop1000may determine the output reduction degree as D3. In some implementations, as the temperature increase rate increases, the output reduction degree may increase. That is, the cooktop1000may further reduce the output of the working coil1050when the output reduction degree is Dn rather than Dn−1.

In some implementations, when the temperature increase rate is included in the first section, the cooktop1000may reduce the output of the working coil1050to a predetermined degree (for example, D1).

In some implementations, when it is determined that the temperature increase rate determined in operation S1530is equal to or greater than a preset rate, the cooktop1000may determine an output reduction degree based on the temperature increase rate and may reduce the output of the working coil1050to the determined output reduction degree in operation S1550. In some implementations, the greater the difference between the preset rate and the temperature increase rate is, the further the cooktop1000may reduce the output of the working coil1050. That is, the cooktop1000may determine an output reduction degree by determining which of the plurality of preset rate sections includes the temperature increase rate, and may reduce the output of the working coil1050to the determined output reduction degree.

In some implementations, when it is determined that the temperature increase rate determined in operation S1530is less than a preset rate, the cooktop1000may reduce the output of the working coil1050to the preset output reduction degree in operation S1540.

As described above, the cooktop1000may reduce the output of the working coil1050adaptively to the temperature increase rate by determining whether the temperature increases rapidly at a rate above the preset rate.

FIGS.16A and16Bare diagrams showing examples of an output reduction degree determined based on a temperature increase rate of the thin film1020.

Referring toFIGS.16A and16B, when a temperature of the thin film1020is lower than a preset threshold temperature (for example, 520° C.) as indicated by reference numerals1610and1620, the cooktop1000may maintain the output of the working coil1050to an output set by a user.

In some implementations, even if the thin film1020is heated by the output of the same working coil1050, the temperature may increase at a higher rate depending on a state of the cooktop1000(for example, when an object placed at the upper plate1010is empty or the like). In some implementations, when the temperature of the thin film1020is determined to be equal to or higher than the preset threshold temperature, the cooktop1000may determine a temperature increase rate and may determine whether the temperature increase rate is lower than a preset rate (or whether the temperature increase rate is included in the first section).

In some implementations, when the temperature increase rate is less than the preset rate, the cooktop1000may reduce the output of the working coil1050to a preset degree (for example, D1). Referring toFIG.16A, in some implementations, as a temperature increase rate1612is included in the first section, the output of the working coil1050is reduced to the degree D1and thereby lowered by one step from PL9to PL8.

Referring toFIG.16B, in some implementations, as a temperature increase rate1622is included in the second section, the output of the working coil1050is reduced to a degree D2and thus lowered by two steps from PL9to PL7. That is, as the output reduction degree of the working coil1050increases in proportion to the temperature increase rate, the output of the working coil1050may be relatively more rapidly reduced inFIG.16B, where the temperature increases rapidly. Accordingly, if the temperature increase rate is higher, the cooktop1000may further reduce the output of the working coil1050to reduce the temperature increase rate, thereby securing stability of use of the cooktop1000.

FIG.17is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for controlling an output of the working coil1050based on a temperature of a component having the highest risk level among components of the cooktop1000.

In some implementations, the cooktop1000may, in operation S1710, measure a temperature of at least one component including a thin film by using the temperature sensor1040.

In some implementations, the cooktop1000may, in operation S1720, determine a component risk level of each component based on the temperature measured in operation S1710. In some implementations, the process in which the cooktop1000determines the component risk level may be implemented through various examples described above includingFIG.13.

In some implementations, the cooktop1000may, in operation S1730, determine which component has the highest component risk level among component risk levels determined in operation S1720.

In some implementations, the cooktop1000may, in operation S1740, control the output of the working coil1050based on whether the temperature of the component determined to have the highest component risk level in operation S1730satisfies at least one preset condition.

In some implementations, the process of controlling the output of the working coil1050based on whether the temperature of the component satisfies the at least one preset condition in operation S1740may be implemented through various examples described above, and thus, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

In some implementations, at least one component included in the cooktop1000may be divided into a first component group and a second component group. In some implementations, the second component group may include the thin film1020. In some implementations, the cooktop1000may combine the various examples described above based on temperature measurements of the first component group and the second component group. In some implementations, at least one component whose temperature is to be measured by the temperature sensor1040in the cooktop1000may include not only the thin film1020, but also the upper plate1010, an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), and the like. Alternatively, the first component group may include the thin film1020, and the second component group may include the upper plate1010and the IGBT.

For example, in the case of the first component group, the cooktop1000may control the output of the working coil1050according to a component risk level determined based on a measured temperature for the first component group, whereas, in the case of the second component group, the cooktop1000may control the output of the working coil1050based on a component risk level and a temperature increase rate. The method for controlling the output of the working coil1050based on a temperature of each component included in the first component group and the second component group may be implemented in various combinations as well as the combinations described above.

In some implementations, the cooktop1000controls a method of controlling the output of the working coil1050according to which of the first component group or the second component group includes a component having the highest component risk level.

In some implementations, various examples included in the present disclosure may be applied to each individual component whose temperature is measured by the temperature sensor1040among components of the cooktop1000.

In some implementations, the cooktop1000may control the output of the working coil1050based on a result of comparison of at least one output reduction degree that is determined for each at least one component based on a temperature of a corresponding at least one component. In some implementations, the cooktop1000may determine an output reduction degree corresponding to a component risk level for each component, and the output reduction degree may be different for each component. Therefore, even if components are at the same risk level, the output reduction degree may be different for each component. In some implementations, the cooktop1000may reduce the output of the working coil1050to a degree where the output of the working coil1050is reduced most greatly among output reduction degrees corresponding to component risk levels determined for the respective components.

In some implementations, when the component having the highest component risk level is determined in operation S1730, the cooktop1000may control the output of the working coil1050based on a result of a comparison between a current risk level and a previous risk level. The current risk level may be determined based on a temperature measured at a next period, and the previous risk level may be determined based on a temperature measured at a previous period (that is, during the operation S1720). In some implementations, a method in which the cooktop1000controls the output of the working coil1050by comparing the previous risk level and the current risk level may be implemented through the example described above with reference toFIG.14, and thus, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

In some implementations, it may be possible to heat an object made of various materials, thereby securing the efficiency and ease of use.

In some implementations, when a thin film is induction heated to a high temperature, it may be possible to control an output of a cooktop according to a measured temperature of any of various components, thereby securing stability of use.

In some implementations, it may be possible to perform temperature control adaptively to various components.

In some implementations, it is possible to control an output of a working coil based on a risk level of a thin film by considering a temperature increase rate of a thin film having a large temperature fluctuation.

While the present disclosure has been described with respect to the specific implementations, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the following claims.