Its low-cost and low-component count system further enhances its appeal, making it a valuable addition to the appliance market.
The single-plate induction cooktop is an essential appliance in modern kitchens, known for its efficiency, precision, and safety. Utilizing electromagnetic induction, it directly heats cookware, ensuring rapid cooking while minimizing energy loss. This technology offers several advantages, including precise temperature control, which is crucial for various cooking techniques from boiling to simmering. Additionally, induction cooktops are safer than traditional stoves, as they remain cool to the touch and reduce the risk of burns. These features make single-plate induction cooktops ideal for both home and professional kitchens, enhancing cooking performance and energy efficiency. They are also suitable for inductive heating applications beyond the kitchen, such as in room and water heaters, due to their efficient and adjustable power control capabilities.
The AS048 2100W reference design by Microchip Technology is single-plate induction cooktop is a high-efficiency, high-reliability design utilizing the iW248 smart IGBT driver and controller single-chip ASSP. This innovative design allows users to adjust power in ±10W increments, making it ideal for precise cooking conditions, such as simmering. The iW248 smart IGBT driver and controller single-chip ASSP ensures high efficiency and reliability, offering the flexibility to adjust power in fine increments for various cooking needs. The RL78/G15-based HMI card features a low pin count, multiple matrix switches, LED indications, and a 7-segment display. A robust capacitive touch sensing unit (CTSU) ensures reliable operation even in wet conditions.
Enhanced Safety, Protection, and Cost-Effective Design
Enhanced safety and protection are provided by over-temperature detection integrated using three negative temperature coefficient resistors (NTCs). The design also incorporates AC input, IGBT voltage spike detection, and current sensing via the iW248, enabling a fast protection response. Adjustable overvoltage cutoff and recovery register settings offer added protection and reliability. The integrated ASSP design reduces the overall cost and component count, making the system more economical and compact. The cooktop operates in either constant current or constant power mode, determined by VCE voltage detection, with patented low-power technology allowing fine power adjustability crucial for maintaining simmer conditions. The design supports three-temperature detection options with adjustable settings, catering to various cooking requirements.
This reference design is ideal for home appliances, offering precision and reliability for everyday cooking, and is suitable for professional kitchen equipment where precise temperature control is crucial. It can also be adapted for use in inductive heaters, benefiting from its efficient and adjustable power control for room and water heating applications. It is powered by the iW248 smart IGBT driver and controller, provides a robust, efficient, and flexible solution for modern cooking needs. With its advanced HMI features, enhanced safety mechanisms, and versatile performance modes, this design meets the demands of both home and professional kitchens, as well as inductive heating applications.
Renesas have tested this reference design. It comes with a bill of materials (BOM), schematics, an assembly drawing, a gerber file, etc. You can find additional data about the reference design on the company’s website. To read more about this reference design, click here.
