Cooking apparatus top plate, processing method of glass ceramic substrate, and apparatus including same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Induction heating apparatus top plates made of tempered glass are prone to scratches when subjected to high temperatures, leading to reduced cleanability and aesthetic issues due to contaminant entry into scratches, necessitating a material with improved scratch resistance and strength.
Innovation Solution
A glass ceramic substrate with a chemically strengthened uneven surface structure, featuring lithium aluminosilicate-based crystalline glass, specific crystal phases, and elements like V, Mg, P, Fe, Ti, and Zr, with a Vickers hardness of 950 to 1,200 Hv and a friction coefficient of 0.42 to 0.71, is used for the top plate, combined with a printed layer to enhance scratch resistance and aesthetic appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a tempered glass top plate is used to prevent breakage, then strength is improved, but scratch resistance deteriorates when subjected to high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies chemical strengthening through ion exchange, changing the chemical composition and physical structure of the glass surface. This creates a compressed stress layer that simultaneously improves both strength and scratch resistance, resolving the contradiction between using tempered glass for breakage prevention while maintaining scratch resistance at high temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by forming an uneven surface structure on the glass ceramic substrate. This composite approach combines the base glass material with a surface-modified layer that has enhanced mechanical properties, achieving both high strength and improved scratch resistance
2Ease of operation
If the top plate surface is made smooth for easy cleaning, then cleanability is improved, but visibility of internal structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a localized uneven surface structure with controlled roughness (Ra 0.1 to 1.0 μm) that creates light scattering properties. This local modification of surface quality diffuses light to hide internal structures while maintaining a texture that prevents contaminant accumulation, balancing cleanability with aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 2:
The uneven surface structure creates optical effects that alter light reflection and transmission characteristics. The surface roughness induces light scattering that reduces visibility of internal structures, effectively using optical property changes to achieve the desired aesthetic effect while maintaining cleanability
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 high-strength, low-gloss top plate with reduced friction coefficient and visibility of internal structures, improving scratch resistance and maintaining heat resistance while maintaining a translucent appearance, suitable for induction heating and other applications.
Implementation Method 1
the top surface of the glass ceramic substrate may be chemically strengthened by ion exchange with at least one strengthening salt selected from KNO3 and NaNO3
Implementation Method 2
A magnetic field generated by a current supplied to a coil induces a secondary current, and thus Joule heat is generated by a resistance component of a cooking vessel
Implementation Method 3
Joule heat is generated by a resistance component of a cooking vessel. Therefore, the cooking vessel is heated by a high-frequency current
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking apparatus top plate includes a glass ceramic substrate having a chemically strengthened uneven structure with an average surface roughness Ra of 0.1 to 1.0 μm. A cooking vessel is placeable on the top plate to be heating by the cooking apparatus. A method for processing a glass ceramic substrate includes forming a top surface to have an uneven structure and chemically strengthening the top surface that has the uneven structure. An induction heating apparatus includes a cooking apparatus top plate and a plurality of induction heating coils for heating the cooking vessel placed on the top plate.