Infrared sensor-based temperature control for domestic induction cooktops.

Area of Science:

• Engineering
• Applied Physics
• Control Systems

Background:

• Precise temperature control is crucial for modern domestic cooking appliances.
• Induction cooktops offer efficient heating but often lack precise real-time temperature feedback.
• Existing methods for temperature monitoring in cooking can be indirect or inaccurate.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a precise real-time temperature control system for domestic induction cooking.
• To implement infrared (IR) thermometry for accurate vessel temperature measurement.
• To integrate this system into a commercial induction cooker for closed-loop control.

Main Methods:

• A closed-loop power control system utilizing a proportional-integral controller was implemented.
• Infrared (IR) thermometry with an optical system and signal conditioning circuit was employed.
• A microprocessor with a 12-bit ADC and 1 Ksps sampling rate handled signal processing.

Main Results:

• A procedure to estimate vessel temperature using IR radiation was developed.
• The system achieved a maximum temperature error of 5°C within the 60-250°C range.
• Accurate temperature control was demonstrated for known cookware emissivity.

Conclusions:

• The developed IR thermometry system provides precise real-time temperature control for induction cooking.
• The system offers a significant improvement over traditional temperature regulation methods.
• A simple calibration procedure using a black-body sample ensures system accuracy.