Cooking device hacing a cooking surface comprising a non-oxide or at least partially non-oxide ceramic non-stick coating, and kitchen item or electrical cooking appliance comprising such a cooking device

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high manufacturing costs and complexity of vacuum deposition methods, such as magnetron cathodic sputtering, limit the production of non-oxide or partially non-oxide ceramic coatings for cookware, which are essential for non-stick and durable cooking surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A preceramic polymer-derived ceramic coating process is developed, where a preceramic polymer is applied to a substrate, followed by a heat treatment to form a continuous thin film of non-oxide or partially non-oxide ceramic, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional PVD methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vacuum deposition methods (magnetron cathodic sputtering) are used to deposit non-oxide ceramic coatings, then the coatings exhibit hardness, oxidation resistance, and non-stick properties, but the manufacturing costs become very high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating durability and non-stick performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the deposition parameters by transitioning from vacuum-based physical vapor deposition to atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition. This parameter change allows the use of simpler, less expensive equipment while maintaining coating quality, directly addressing the high manufacturing cost issue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the complex vacuum mechanical system with a chemical deposition system operating at atmospheric pressure. This substitution eliminates the need for vacuum chambers and complex pumping systems, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while achieving equivalent coating performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If vacuum deposition methods are used to produce non-oxide ceramic coatings, then the coatings provide excellent non-stick behavior and ease of cleaning, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cleaningVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the complex vacuum deposition mechanical system with a simpler atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition system. This substitution maintains the non-stick coating quality while dramatically reducing manufacturing process complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces organic precursor molecules as intermediaries that decompose during deposition to form the ceramic coating. This chemical intermediary approach simplifies the manufacturing process compared to direct physical vapor deposition, reducing equipment complexity while maintaining coating performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If oxide ceramic coatings are used for cooking surfaces, then the coatings provide protection and non-stick properties, but they cannot achieve the same level of non-oxide ceramic performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating protection and non-stick propertiesVSAvoidcoating chemical composition

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using organic precursors containing carbon, nitrogen, and other elements that decompose to form non-oxide ceramic phases. This compositional change enables achieving superior non-stick properties and oxidation resistance compared to traditional oxide coatings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This process results in high-purity, durable, and non-stick coatings with improved ease of cleaning, scratch resistance, and stability, while reducing manufacturing costs and cycle times, enabling the production of coatings with diverse chemical compositions and thicknesses.

Implementation Method 1

a heat treatment step for ceramizing said preceramic polymer and thus forming a thin film of non-oxide ceramic derived from polymer or at least partially non-oxide ceramic derived from polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPyrolysis: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

a non-stick coating comprises at least one continuous thin film of non-oxide ceramic derived from polymer or at least partially non-oxide ceramic derived from polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical Vapour Deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Data Source

PatentEP2916701B1Cooking device hacing a cooking surface comprising a non-oxide or at least partially non-oxide ceramic non-stick coating, and kitchen item or electrical cooking appliance comprising such a cooking device

Publication Date: 2017.02.01 SEB SA

AI summary

The invention relates to a cooking device belonging in particular to a kitchen item or an electrical cooking appliance, said cooking device comprising an inner and/or upper face that can receive food and an outer and/or lower face that is coated with a non-stick coating forming a cooking surface. According to the invention, the non-stick coating comprises at least one continuous thin film of non-oxide or at least partially non-oxide polymer-derived ceramic, said thin film forming the cooking surface. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a cooking device.