US 2009/0212043 A1Published application

Induction heater

AssigneeMatsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

InventorsToshihiro Keishima, Hiroshi Matsuo, Miyuki Kani

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Abstract

An induction heater which has an electrical conductor between a heating coil and a top plate. The electrical conductor has an extended portion formed downward from its outer periphery. The extended portion has a connector at its tip for coupling to a low-potential part. A thermal-connection reducing means is provided on the extended portion. A cross-sectional shape near a bent portion of the extended portion is made uniform. With the above structure, the electrical conductor has both the functions of decreasing the buoyancy and electrostatic shielding. This structure uses a smaller number of components, eliminates the risk of electric shock to the human body, and prevents uplift of an object to be heated. The thermal-connection reducing means reduces heat conduction to a connected part. Accordingly, a highly reliable and compact apparatus becomes available.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An induction heater, comprising:

a top plate on which an object to be heated is placed;
a heating coil provided below the top plate, the heating coil induction-heating the object to be heated, the object being made of nonmagnetic metal with electrical conductivity not less than that of aluminum;
and
an electrical conductor disposed between the top plate and the heating coil such that the electrical conductor faces the heating coil, the electrical conductor reducing buoyancy during induction-heating of the object to be heated made of nonmagnetic metal with electrical conductivity not less than that of aluminum;
wherein,
the electrical conductor has an extended portion extending at least downward from the electrical conductor;
the extended portion has a connector that can be plugged to a coupler to a low-potential part for coupling to the low-potential part;
and
the extended portion has a thermal-connection reducing means for reducing heat conduction from the electrical conductor to the connector, the thermal-connection reducing means being provided between the electrical conductor and the connector.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.