Ceramic Heater Supporter for High-Power Electric Hob Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric hobs with sheath heaters have low output power, making rapid cooking difficult, and installing high-power tube heaters is challenging due to heat transfer issues that can damage the heater base and reflector.

Innovation Solution

A heater supporter system that includes a heat-resistant material for fixing the tube heater and an elastic supporting part to minimize heat damage, allowing for easy installation and efficient heat transfer, comprising a first supporter fixed to the tube heater, a second supporter fixed to the heater base or reflector, and a heater holder with predetermined elasticity to absorb external forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a tube heater is installed at the heater base and/or reflector, then high-power heating is achieved, but heat is transferred to the heater base and/or reflector causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating powerVSAvoidheat damage to heater base and reflector
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a heater supporter as an intermediary component between the tube heater and the heater base/reflector. This supporter includes a heat-resistant material portion that contacts the tube heater and an elastic supporting portion that contacts the heater base or reflector, acting as a mediator to prevent direct heat transfer to the heater base and reflector while still providing mechanical support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The heater supporter is constructed from composite materials with different properties: a heat-resistant material portion (such as ceramic or heat-resistant polymer) that can withstand high temperatures from the tube heater, and an elastic supporting portion (such as rubber or elastic polymer) that provides mechanical support and elasticity. This composite structure allows the supporter to simultaneously handle thermal and mechanical requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If a sheath heater is used as heating source, then installation is simple, but output power is relatively low making rapid cooking difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidoutput power
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the key parameter of the heating element from a sheath heater configuration to a tube heater configuration with a filament inside. This parameter change enables significantly higher output power while the heater supporter system maintains ease of installation through modular design and clear mounting procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If additional members are used to install tube heater, then tube heater can be installed, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation feasibilityVSAvoidnumber of additional members
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into the heater supporter component: it provides mechanical support for the tube heater, acts as a thermal insulator, and serves as a mounting interface with the heater base or reflector. By combining these functions into a single integrated component rather than using separate additional members, the system achieves installation feasibility without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables rapid cooking, easy installation of the tube heater, and minimizes heat-related damage to the heater base and reflector, improving the durability and efficiency of the heating process.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic supporting part having predetermined elasticity and fixed to one of a reflector and a heater base at which the tube heater is installed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a heater fixing part to which a tube heater is fixed, the heater fixing part being formed of a heat resistant material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

a reflector disposed between the heater base and the tube heater and configured to reflect heat generated from the tube heater

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 4

a tube heater including a tube and a filament disposed inside the tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2272302B1Heater supporter and electric hob including the same
Publication Date: 2016.06.22 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2272302B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2272302B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2272302B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

Provided are a heater supporter and an electric hob including the heater supporter. A tube heater is supported by the heater supporter, and at least a portion of the heater supporter is formed of a ceramic containing material. Therefore, food can be cooked more rapidly, and the tube heater can be easily installed. Furthermore, damages caused by heat generated from the tube heater can be minimized.