An induction hob uses induction heating to provide safe, energy efficient and flexible heating of vessels by using multiple coils and a controllable magnetic fluid. In addition, the hob provides increased control over electromagnetic (EM) field spatial distribution in the vicinity of the hob by guiding the EM field through the controllable magnetic fluid, and allows for more precise tuning of each load (which varies with vessel geometry, material properties, and placement) by controlling the volume and spatial distribution of magnetic fluid at each load coil, effectively acting as a tunable inductance in each load.

A cooking apparatus includes: a working coil, an inverter configured to output a resonant current to the working coil, a current detector configured to detect the resonant current and output a detection value corresponding to the resonant current, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the inverter to flow a first resonant current through the working coil, control the inverter to flow, through the working coil, a second resonant current having a frequency different from the first resonant current, and determine, based on a difference between a first detection value for the first resonant current and a second detection value for the second resonant current, whether a target object that is located adjacent to the working coil is a predetermined object.

A cooking apparatus includes: a working coil, an inverter configured to output a resonant current to the working coil, a current detector configured to detect the resonant current and output a detection value corresponding to the resonant current, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the inverter to flow a first resonant current through the working coil, control the inverter to flow, through the working coil, a second resonant current having a frequency different from the first resonant current, and determine, based on a difference between a first detection value for the first resonant current and a second detection value for the second resonant current, whether a target object that is located adjacent to the working coil is a predetermined object.

A container support is disclosed. The container support is operated in conjunction with an induction heating unit, which is disposed beneath a table and generates a magnetic field, and includes a plate for supporting a cooking container placed thereon, a manipulation unit provided at a portion of the plate so as to receive control commands from a user, and a signal-transmitting part provided at a portion of the plate so as to transmit electric signals to the induction heating unit.

A container support is disclosed. The container support is operated in conjunction with an induction heating unit, which is disposed beneath a table and generates a magnetic field, and includes a plate for supporting a cooking container placed thereon, a manipulation unit provided at a portion of the plate so as to receive control commands from a user, and a signal-transmitting part provided at a portion of the plate so as to transmit electric signals to the induction heating unit.

A method for controlling a heating operation of an induction cooktop includes generating a direct current (DC) power from an alternating current (AC) power source. The DC power is supplied to a first resonant inverter and a second resonant inverter via a power supply bus. A switching frequency of each of the first resonant inverter and the second resonant inverter is controlled and in response to the switching frequency supplied to a plurality of induction coils of the resonant inverters, an electromagnetic field is generated. A selective tuning operation of the first resonant inverter or the second resonant inverter includes controlling a connection of a capacitor to either the first resonant inverter or the second resonant inverter.

A method for controlling a heating operation of an induction cooktop includes generating a direct current (DC) power from an alternating current (AC) power source. The DC power is supplied to a first resonant inverter and a second resonant inverter via a power supply bus. A switching frequency of each of the first resonant inverter and the second resonant inverter is controlled and in response to the switching frequency supplied to a plurality of induction coils of the resonant inverters, an electromagnetic field is generated. A selective tuning operation of the first resonant inverter or the second resonant inverter includes controlling a connection of a capacitor to either the first resonant inverter or the second resonant inverter.

An induction heating apparatus is provided. The induction heating apparatus includes a heating coil configured to heat an object to be heated, a full-bridge type inverter configured to supply power to the heating coil, a capacitor provided between an intermediate node of one arm of the inverter and one end of the heating coil, and a first relay provided between the intermediate node and the other end of the heating coil 30. An intermediate node of the other arm of the inverter and an intermediate point of the heating coil are connected through a first wire. The induction heating apparatus includes a processor configured to open or close the first relay based on an impedance of the object to be heated.

An induction heating apparatus is provided. The induction heating apparatus includes a heating coil configured to heat an object to be heated, a full-bridge type inverter configured to supply power to the heating coil, a capacitor provided between an intermediate node of one arm of the inverter and one end of the heating coil, and a first relay provided between the intermediate node and the other end of the heating coil 30. An intermediate node of the other arm of the inverter and an intermediate point of the heating coil are connected through a first wire. The induction heating apparatus includes a processor configured to open or close the first relay based on an impedance of the object to be heated.

An induction heating apparatus includes a working coil; an inverter configured to perform switching operation to thereby apply a resonance current to the working coil; and a controller configured to provide a control signal with a fixed frequency to the inverter to thereby control the switching operation. The controller changes a pulse width of the control signal based on a predetermined cycle that is set based on a temperature of the inverter.