Cooking Appliance Control Panel Bracket for Heat and Spill Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cooking appliances face challenges in easily fixing the control panel to the top plate, lead to heat conduction issues, user burns, and errors caused by liquid permeation between the control panel and top plate, affecting the manipulation unit's functionality.

Innovation Solution

A cooking appliance design featuring a bracket that detachably couples the control panel to the top plate, creating a gap for heat insulation and liquid guidance, preventing heat transfer from the cooker stand and liquid flow to the gas line or gas valve, with an inclined surface for user convenience and easy maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the control panel is fixed to the top plate using multiple bolts, then the control panel is securely attached, but the coupling process becomes complex and difficult for maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol panel attachment stabilityVSAvoidcoupling process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is divided into multiple components: a first bracket coupled to the top plate, a second bracket coupled to the control panel, and a fastening member that connects them. This segmentation allows for easier assembly and disassembly compared to using multiple bolts directly, while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the top plate is disposed directly over the control panel, then the structure is compact, but heat is conducted from the top plate to the control panel causing user burns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidheat conduction to control panel
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is introduced as an intermediary component between the top plate and the control panel. This bracket creates a physical gap that interrupts the direct thermal conduction path from the hot top plate to the control panel, thereby preventing heat transfer while still providing structural support and secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the control panel is disposed under the front portion of the top plate, then the design is compact, but liquid flows between the control panel and top plate causing errors in the manipulation unit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign compactnessVSAvoidmanipulation unit functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket serves as an intermediary structure that creates a controlled gap between the top plate and control panel. This gap, combined with the bracket's positioning, prevents liquid from flowing directly between these components, thereby protecting the manipulation unit from liquid-induced errors while maintaining a compact design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of repair

If the control panel is detachably coupled to the top plate, then maintenance becomes easier, but the coupling stability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol panel maintenance easeVSAvoidcontrol panel coupling stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling system is designed to be dynamically adjustable - the fastening member can be easily engaged and disengaged to attach or remove the control panel, yet when engaged, it provides stable and secure attachment. This dynamic design allows for easy maintenance while ensuring operational stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 and stable coupling of the control panel, reduces heat conduction to the control panel, prevents user burns, and minimizes errors caused by liquid permeation, enhancing user safety and appliance performance.

Implementation Method 1

creating a gap for heat insulation and liquid guidance, preventing heat transfer from the cooker stand

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

an inclined surface for user convenience and easy maintenance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3037732B1Cooking appliance
Publication Date: 2019.01.09 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3037732B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(c)
  • EP3037732B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3037732B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is disclosed a cooking appliance including a cabinet defining an exterior appearance thereof, a top plate disposed on the cabinet, the top plate comprising a first cooking unit where cooking is performed, using a heat source; a second cooking unit provided in the cabinet, the second cooking unit where cooking is performed, using a heat source, a control panel coupled to a front portion of the top plate, the control panel comprising one or more manipulation units, and a bracket coupled to the top plate to detachably couple the control panel to the front portion of the top plate.