Convex-Concave Pan Structure to Reduce Non-Stick Coating Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-stick pans rely on chemical coatings that degrade at high temperatures and are prone to wear from spatula friction, leading to sticking issues and potential ingestion of chemical coatings.
Innovation Solution
A physical non-stick pan with a convex-concave structure is designed, featuring a convex edge that protects a physical non-stick layer in a recess, combined with a lotus leaf-inspired surface structure and a nano-scale rough porous oxide film for enhanced non-stick performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a chemical non-stick coating is applied to the pan surface, then non-stick performance is improved, but the coating degrades at high temperature and is easily damaged by metal spatulas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the chemical non-stick coating entirely and replaces it with a physical non-stick structure formed by convex-concave patterns on the pan surface. This extraction eliminates the coating stability problem while maintaining non-stick performance through the physical geometry of the surface structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates localized convex and concave regions on the pan surface, where the concave portions trap air to provide non-stick properties while the convex portions provide structural support and durability. This local differentiation allows the surface to simultaneously achieve non-stick performance and resistance to mechanical damage.
2Reliability
If a physical non-stick layer is applied to the pan surface, then non-stick effect is achieved, but the layer is easily worn by repeated spatula friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pan surface into convex and concave regions, where the concave regions contain the non-stick layer and the convex regions serve as protective ridges. This segmentation isolates the non-stick layer in protected zones, reducing its exposure to direct spatula friction and extending its service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The convex portions of the surface structure act as a protective cushion that absorbs the impact and friction from metal spatulas before they reach the non-stick layer in the concave regions. This beforehand cushioning protects the non-stick layer from wear and extends the duration of its effective action.
3Temperature
If the pan surface is heated to high temperature for cooking, then cooking performance is improved, but chemical coating decomposes and loses non-stick efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the chemical coating that degrades at high temperature and replaces it with a thermal-stable physical structure. The convex-concave surface geometry maintains its non-stick properties through high temperatures without decomposition, enabling reliable non-stick performance during high-temperature cooking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of non-stick mechanism from chemical (coating-based) to physical (geometry-based). This parameter change allows the surface to maintain non-stick efficacy across a wide temperature range, including high-temperature cooking conditions where chemical coatings would decompose.
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
The solution provides a long-lasting non-stick effect, resistant to high temperatures and spatula wear, while eliminating the risks associated with chemical coatings, ensuring a healthy and hygienic cooking experience.
Implementation Method 1
a convex edge that protects a physical non-stick layer in a recess
Implementation Method 2
a lotus leaf-inspired surface structure... An upper surface of a lotus leaf is covered with a lot of mastoids having an average size of about 53 μm to 57 μm, and these mastoids each are composed of 6 μm to 13 μm micro-protrusions gathered together... an extremely-thin nano-scale air layer is formed on the surface of the leaf
Implementation Method 3
a nano-scale rough porous oxide film for enhanced non-stick performance... an extremely-thin nano-scale air layer is formed on the surface of the leaf
Implementation Method 4
fast and even heating
Data Source
AI summary
A physical non-stick pan with a convex-concave structure, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The physical non-stick pan includes a pan body, where the convex-concave structure is formed on an inner surface of the pan body, the convex-concave structure comprises a convex edge protruding from the inner surface of the pan body and a recess enclosed by the convex edge, and a physical non-stick layer is at least arranged on an inner surface of the pan body in the recess. In the convex-concave structure, the convex edge protects a non-stick layer arranged in the recess, reduces a direct friction between a spatula and the non-stick layer, and prolongs a non-stick effect of the pan body.