Cooking device including a multi-layer diffuser base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking devices face challenges in achieving uniform heating and controlling maximum temperatures without increasing the mass or thickness, leading to potential hot spots and burning phenomena.
Innovation Solution
A cooking device with a multilayer diffuser base that metallurgically assembles an anisotropic graphite layer between aluminum layers, promoting transverse thermal diffusion and reducing temperature differences, while allowing for the use of materials like stainless steel and improving mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a significant thickness of aluminum is used to obtain satisfactory temperature homogeneity and avoid overheating points, then heating uniformity is improved, but the mass and thickness of the cooking device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining aluminum layers with an anisotropic graphite layer to create a multi-layer diffuser base. This composite structure leverages the high thermal conductivity of aluminum and the directional thermal diffusion properties of graphite to achieve temperature homogeneity without requiring significant aluminum thickness, thus avoiding excessive mass increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to heat diffusion by incorporating an anisotropic graphite layer that provides directional thermal conductivity. This layer enables heat to diffuse preferentially in the transverse direction (parallel to the cooking surface), creating temperature homogeneity across the heating face without increasing the overall thickness of the device.
2Temperature
If a significant thickness of aluminum is used to avoid overheating points, then temperature control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-layer composite structure of aluminum and anisotropic graphite provides controlled thermal diffusion properties that prevent overheating points. The anisotropic graphite layer's directional conductivity ensures heat is distributed evenly across the cooking surface, achieving temperature control without requiring complex single-layer thick aluminum designs.
Solution Approach 2:
By adding the anisotropic graphite layer with its unique directional thermal conductivity, the patent introduces a new dimension to heat management. This layer controls heat flow in the transverse direction while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that doesn't significantly increase device complexity.
3Strength
If the heating face is made of stainless steel for durability, then mechanical strength is improved, but thermal conductivity decreases leading to poor heating uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where the stainless steel heating face is metallurgically bonded to aluminum layers with high thermal conductivity. This composite design allows the stainless steel to provide mechanical strength and durability while the aluminum layers ensure excellent thermal conductivity and heating uniformity across the cooking surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds thermal management capability in the transverse dimension by incorporating the anisotropic graphite layer between the aluminum layers. This enables heat to diffuse effectively across the heating face through the multi-layer structure, compensating for stainless steel's lower thermal conductivity while maintaining its mechanical advantages.
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 configuration enhances thermal homogeneity, reduces hot spots, and allows for better temperature control without increasing the device's mass or thickness, enabling efficient and safe cooking.
Implementation Method 1
the anisotropic graphite layer promotes good thermal diffusion across the heating surface, which reduces hot spots and also limits temperature variations on the cooking surface
Implementation Method 2
a layer of anisotropic graphite encapsulated between two other layers which may be made of aluminum
Implementation Method 3
The good thermal conductivity of aluminum makes it possible to distribute the heat transmitted by the heating hearth in the diffuser base
Data Source
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AI summary
- The invention relates to a cooking device (100) comprising a cooking support member (110) having a cooking face (111) and a heating face (112), an aluminium layer (121) being metallurgically joined to the heating face (112), a layer of anisotropic graphite (124) being encapsulated between the aluminium layer (121) and another aluminium layer (115). - According to the invention, the aluminium layer (121) is metallurgically joined to the heating face (112), leaving one portion of the heating face (112) free around the aluminium layer (121), the aluminium layer (121) and the anisotropic graphite layer (124) belonging to a multi-layer diffuser base (120). - The invention also relates to a method for producing such a cooking device.