Articulated Cooktop Heating Arm for Flexible Zone Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hob devices, particularly induction hobs, face challenges in achieving low cost and high flexibility while efficiently heating large or variable cooking zones with a limited number of components.
Innovation Solution
A hob device design featuring an articulated arm with a single stiff and rigid arm portion and a joint, connected to a base component via a suspension, allowing for flexible positioning and movement of a single heating element, which can be rotated and pivoted to cover a large cooking area with reduced component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple heating elements are used to cover large cooking zones, then the heating coverage is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an articulated arm mechanism with multiple joints that enables a single heating element to dynamically reposition itself across different locations on the cooktop. This dynamic positioning system allows one heating element to cover multiple cooking zones sequentially, replacing the need for multiple fixed heating elements and thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive heating coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The single heating element is designed to perform multiple functions by being transportable to different positions on the cooktop surface. Through the articulated arm mechanism, this universal heating element can serve various cooking zones and accommodate different cookware sizes and positions, effectively replacing multiple specialized heating elements
2Productivity
If multiple heating elements are used to heat different zones simultaneously, then the productivity is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated arm mechanism enables periodic repositioning of the heating element between different cooking zones. The heating element can systematically move from one zone to another in a cyclic manner, providing continuous heating service across multiple zones. This periodic action maintains high productivity by ensuring that heating capacity is continuously available across the entire cooktop surface without requiring simultaneous operation of multiple heating elements
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic repositioning capability allows the single heating element to respond to different heating demands across the cooktop in real-time. By dynamically adjusting its position based on the cooking requirements of different zones, the system maintains high overall productivity while using fewer components
3Device complexity
If a single heating element is used, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the ability to heat large zones simultaneously is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated arm mechanism provides dynamic positioning capability that allows a single heating element to access and service multiple cooking zones across the entire cooktop surface. By moving the heating element to different positions, the system effectively expands the heatable zone area beyond what a single fixed heating element could provide, maintaining comprehensive heating coverage while using only one heating element
4Reliability
If fixed heating elements are used for each zone, then the reliability is improved, but the flexibility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated arm mechanism introduces dynamic adaptability to the heating system. The heating element can be reliably positioned at different locations and angles to match various cookware sizes and positions. This dynamic positioning maintains reliable heating performance while adapting to different cooking scenarios, replacing the need for multiple fixed heating elements with different characteristics
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cooktop device (10a-b), in particular an induction cooktop device, comprising an articulated arm (12a-b), which has a first arm part (14a-b) and a second arm part (16a-b), a joint (18a-b), which is designed to support the second arm part (16a-b) in such a way that the second arm part can be moved in relation to the first arm part (14a-b), and a suspension (20a-b) for connecting the first arm part (14a-b) to a base component (22a-b). In order to provide a device of the type in question having improved properties with regard to lower costs and/or high flexibility, the articulated arm (12a-b), according to the invention, is designed to bear exactly one heating element (24a-b).