IP Library Granted Patent US 9,055,614
Granted Patent B2
US 9,055,614 · App. 12/161,746 · Granted Jun 9, 2015

Induction heating device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,055,614
App. No.
12/161,746
Granted
Jun 9, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

An induction heating device includes a top plate arranged to have an object placed thereon, a heating coil provided under below the top plate for heating the object, a sensor provided under the top plate for detecting a temperature of the object, a judging unit for judging whether or not the object is positioned directly above the sensor, a controller operable to allow the heating coil to heat the object in response to the temperature detected by the sensor detecting, and a position indicator provided at the top plate for indicating a position of the sensor. The position indicator includes a detectable area of the sensor, and is larger than the detectable area. This induction heating device securely positions the object directly above the sensor and detects a temperature of the object accurately, hence heating the object accurately at a predetermined temperature.

Claims (33)

1. An induction heating device comprising:

a top plate arranged to have an object placed thereon;

a heating coil provided under below the top plate for heating the object;

a sensor provided under the top plate for detecting a temperature of the object within a detectable area;

a judging unit for judging whether or not the object is positioned directly above the sensor;

a controller operable to

allow the heating coil to heat the object by controlling an electric power supplied to the heating coil in response to the temperature detected by the sensor detecting when the judging unit judges that the object is positioned directly above the sensor, and

prevent the heating coil from heating the object when the judging unit judges that the object is not positioned directly above the sensor; and

a position indicator provided at the top plate for indicating a position of the sensor, the position indicator including the detectable area of the sensor, the position indicator being larger than the detectable area.

2. The induction heating device of claim 1 , further comprising a housing accommodating the heating coil and the sensor therein, the housing having a front side that a user faces to operate the induction heating device,

wherein the sensor deviates from a center of the heating coil towards the front side and deviates from a center of the position indicator towards the center of the heating coil.

3. The induction heating device of claim 2 , wherein the position indicator has substantially an oval shape.

4. The induction heating device of claim 3 , wherein the sensor comprises an infrared sensor detecting infrared ray emitted from the object.

5. The induction heating device of claim 3 , further comprising an illuminator for illuminating the position indicator.

6. The induction heating device of claim 5 , wherein

the position indicator transmits light,

the top plate including a light-impenetrable portion surrounding the position indicator, the light-impenetrable portion not transmitting light.

7. The induction heating device of claim 2 , wherein the sensor comprises an infrared sensor detecting infrared ray emitted from the object.

8. The induction heating device of claim 2 , further comprising an illuminator for illuminating the position indicator.

9. The induction heating device of claim 8 , wherein

the position indicator transmits light,

the top plate including a light-impenetrable portion surrounding the position indicator, the light-impenetrable portion not transmitting light.

10. The induction heating device of claim 1 , wherein the position indicator has substantially an oval shape.

11. The induction heating device of claim 10 , wherein the sensor comprises an infrared sensor detecting infrared ray emitted from the object.

12. The induction heating device of claim 10 , further comprising an illuminator for illuminating the position indicator.

13. The induction heating device of claim 12 , wherein

the position indicator transmits light,

the top plate including a light-impenetrable portion surrounding the position indicator, the light-impenetrable portion not transmitting light.

14. The induction heating device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises an infrared sensor detecting infrared ray emitted from the object.

15. The induction heating device of claim 1 , further comprising an illuminator for illuminating the position indicator.

16. The induction heating device of claim 15 , wherein

the position indicator transmits light,

the top plate including a light-impenetrable portion surrounding the position indicator, the light-impenetrable portion not transmitting light.

Assignments (4)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ERRONEOUSLY FILED APPLICATION NUMBERS 13/384239, 13/498734, 14/116681 AND 14/301144 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034194 FRAME 0143. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 056788/0362 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 034194/0143 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 6, 2009
From: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 022363/0306 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 4, 2008
From: KUSAKA, TAKAAKI; AIHARA, KATSUYUKI; KEISHIMA, TOSHIHIRO
To: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 021481/0195 →