Connection interface for induction coil array
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsDavide Parachini, Cristiano Vito Pastore
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An induction cooking apparatus includes a plurality of induction coils arranged in at least one array. At least one beam structure is configured to support the at least one array of induction coils. At least one electrical circuit is in connection with the at least one beam structure and in communication with each of the plurality of induction coils forming the at least one array. At least one inverter assembly is configured to drive the induction coils. The electrical circuit and the inverter assembly form a connection interface including a plurality of mating connectors. The mating connectors of the connection interface electrically connect the array with the inverter assembly.
Claims20
An induction cooking apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of induction coils arranged in at least one array;
- at least one beam structure configured to support the at least one array of induction coils;
- at least one electrical circuit supported by the at least one beam structure and in electrical communication with each of the plurality of induction coils forming the at least one array;
- and
- at least one inverter assembly configured to drive the induction coils, wherein the electrical circuit and the inverter assembly form a connection interface comprising a plurality of mating connectors, wherein the mating connectors of the connection interface electrically connect the array with the inverter assembly, and wherein the mating connectors comprise a plurality of male connectors and a plurality of female connectors, wherein the female connectors are distributed along the length of the beam structure forming an aligning feature.
An induction cooking apparatus comprising:
- a panel forming a cooking surface and a bottom surface, the cooking surface configured to support a cooking utensil;
- a housing in connection with and disposed beneath the cooking surface, the housing forming an enclosure having an internal cavity, the enclosure comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side;
- at least one array of induction coils arranged beneath the cooking surface;
- at least one beam structure comprising a first end portion and a second end portion, the at least one beam structure extends across the housing of the cooking apparatus from the first side to the second side and supports the at least one array of induction coils;
- at least one electrical circuit in connection with the beam structure and in communication with each of the induction coils forming the array;
- and
- at least one inverter assembly in communication with the electrical circuit and disposed in the enclosure of the housing, wherein the electrical circuit and the inverter assembly form a connection interface configured to physically align the at least one inverter assembly with the at least one beam structure.
An induction cooking apparatus comprising:
- a panel forming a cooking surface and a bottom surface, the cooking surface configured to support a cooking utensil;
- a housing in connection with and disposed beneath the cooking surface, the housing forming an enclosure comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side;
- a plurality of coil beam assemblies, each comprising:
- an array of induction coils arranged beneath the cooking surface;
- a support beam comprising a first end portion and a second end portion and configured to extend across the housing of the cooking apparatus from the first side to the second side, wherein the support beam is configured to support the array of induction coils;
- and
- an electrical circuit in connection with the support beam and in communication with each of the plurality of induction coils forming the array;
- and
- wherein the coil beam assemblies extend from the first side to the second side forming an induction coil matrix and each neighboring coil beam assembly of the coil beam assemblies is rotated 180 degrees.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.