Anodized Cast Aluminum Cooking Vessel for Scratch-Resistant Non-Stick Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooking vessels made of cast aluminum alloy face difficulties in cleaning due to food and fat adhesion on uncoated surfaces and are prone to scratching when coated with non-stick materials like PTFE.
Innovation Solution
A cooking vessel made from a cast aluminum alloy with a cumulative content of 4-5% silicon, manganese, magnesium, and nickel, and an anodized layer greater than 25 μm, which provides scratch resistance without the need for additional coatings on the outer walls, and optionally includes a PTFE non-stick coating on the inner surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a non-stick coating such as PTFE is applied to the cooking vessel, then non-stick properties are obtained, but the coating becomes sensitive to scratching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a non-stick coating (PTFE) over an anodized aluminum layer, creating a composite structure where the anodized layer provides scratch resistance and the PTFE layer provides non-stick properties. This resolves the contradiction by combining two materials with complementary properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the aluminum alloy (specific content of silicon, manganese, magnesium, and nickel) to optimize the anodization process, resulting in an anodized layer with enhanced hardness and scratch resistance that can support the PTFE coating.
2Device complexity
If the cooking vessel is made of uncoated cast aluminum alloy, then the structure is simple, but food and fat adhesion makes cleaning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the surface properties of the aluminum alloy through controlled anodization, changing the surface chemistry and morphology to create a non-stick surface without requiring additional organic coatings on the exterior, thus maintaining simplicity while improving cleaning ease.
3Ease of operation
If the outer wall is coated with non-stick coating, then non-stick properties are obtained, but the appearance uniformity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the non-stick PTFE coating selectively only to the inner cooking surface where it is functionally required, while the outer wall remains anodized aluminum with a uniform metallic appearance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between functional non-stick properties and aesthetic uniformity.
4Ease of manufacture
If cast aluminum alloy with typical composition is used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but anodization produces non-uniform surface and insufficient layer thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the chemical composition parameters of the aluminum alloy (content ranges of silicon, manganese, magnesium, and nickel) to optimize the anodization reaction, enabling formation of a uniform, sufficiently thick anodized layer while maintaining ease of casting manufacturing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates easy cleaning of the outer walls, maintains a uniform appearance without coatings, and enhances the scratch resistance of the non-stick coating, ensuring durability and ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the tank is at least partially anodized, the tank having an anodized layer thickness greater than or equal to 25 μm
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooking vessel (1) comprising a moulded pan (10) made of aluminium casting alloy. According to the invention, the aluminium casting alloy used comprises at least 94.5 mass % of aluminium and a cumulated content of between 4 and 5 mass % for the following elements: silicon, manganese, magnesium, nickel. The pan (10) is at least partially anodised, the thickness of the anodised layer of the pan (10) being higher than, or equal to, 25 µm. The invention also relates to a kitchen item or an electrical cooking appliance comprising a cooking vessel with said characteristics.