Heating unit and control system for cooktops having capability to detect presence of a pan and methods of operating same
First Claim
1. A control system for a heating unit in a cooktop, the heating unit having a spirally wound ribbon heater element, the control system comprising a pan detection unit electrically connected to the heater element, wherein the pan detection unit is capable of generating a high frequency signal through the heater element to determine whether a pan is present on the cooktop.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a control system for a heating unit in a cooktop that is capable of detecting the presence (or absence) of a cooking pan or utensil. The heating unit has a spirally wound ribbon heater element and may be mounted below a glass-ceramic cooking surface. The control system includes a pan detection unit electrically connected to the heater element. The pan detection unit generates a high frequency signal through the heater element to determine whether a pan is present on the cooktop. The pan detection unit may have an oscillation circuit to generate the high frequency signal through the heater element. In one embodiment, the control system further includes at least one switch device that is connected between the heater element and a power source. The switch device is opened to remove the heater element from the power source when the pan detection unit generates the high frequency signal through the heater element. The present invention also includes a heating unit having dual heater units to determine the size of the pan placed on the cooktop. The present invention further includes methods of operating a heater unit and control system having the capability of detecting the presence of a pan.
52 Citations
34 Claims
- 1. A control system for a heating unit in a cooktop, the heating unit having a spirally wound ribbon heater element, the control system comprising a pan detection unit electrically connected to the heater element, wherein the pan detection unit is capable of generating a high frequency signal through the heater element to determine whether a pan is present on the cooktop.
-
11. A control system for a heating unit in a cooktop, the heating unit having a heater element, the heater element having a first terminal end and a second terminal end, the control system comprising:
-
a pan detection unit electrically connected to the first and second terminal ends of the heater element, the pan detection unit capable of generating a high frequency signal through the heater element to determine whether a pan is present on the cooktop; and
a switch device electrically connected between the heater element and a power source;
wherein the switch device is opened to remove the power source from the heater element when the pan detection unit generates the high frequency signal through the heater element. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A control system for a heating unit in a cooktop, the heating unit having an inner heater element and an outer heater element, the inner and outer heater elements being spirally wound wherein the inner heater element is spirally wound within the outer heater element, the control system comprising:
-
a pan detection unit electrically connected to the inner and outer heater elements, the pan detection unit capable of generating a high frequency signal through the inner heater element to determine whether a pan is present on the cooktop, the pan detection unit further capable of generating a high frequency signal through the outer heater element to determine a size of the pan on the cooktop;
a first switch device electrically connected between the inner heater element and a power source; and
a second switch device electrically connected between the outer heater element and the power source;
wherein the first switch device is opened to remove the power source from the inner heater element when the pan detection unit generates the high frequency signal through the inner heater element to determine whether the pan is present on the cooktop, and the second switch device is opened to remove the power source from the outer heater element when the pan detection unit generates the high frequency signal through the outer heater element to determine the size of the pan on the cooktop. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
-
27. A method of operating a heating unit for a cooktop with a control system that is capable of detecting whether a pan is present on the cooktop, the heating unit having a heater element, the method comprising:
-
receiving a setting from a user of the cooktop;
generating a high frequency signal through the heater element;
determining whether the pan is present on the cooktop from the generation of the high frequency signal through the heater element;
isolating power to the heater element if it is determined that the pan is not present on the cooktop;
providing power to the heater element if it is determined that the pan is present on the cooktop;
determining whether the pan has been removed from the cooktop after power has been provided to the heater element;
isolating power to the heater element if it is determined that the pan has been removed from the cooktop; and
providing power to the heater element if it is determined that the pan has not been removed from the cooktop. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
-
-
31. A control system for a heating unit in a cooktop, the heating unit having a heater element, the heater element having a first terminal end and a second terminal end, the control system comprising:
-
a means for receiving a setting from a user of the cooktop;
a means for generating a high frequency signal through the heater element;
a means for determining whether a pan is present on the cooktop; and
a means for isolating power to the heater element if it is determined that the pan is not present on the cooktop. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
-
Specification