Cooking hob arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern built-in cooktops face challenges in manufacturing due to the need for complex processes and additional fastening elements to secure pan supports on hob plates, which increase manufacturing costs and create dirt traps.
Innovation Solution
A hob arrangement featuring a hob plate made partially or entirely from ceramic materials, including cordierite, with recesses for form-fitting attachment of pan supports, eliminating the need for additional fastening mechanisms and allowing for a flush surface design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional fastening elements (pins, screws) are used to attach pan supports to the hob plate, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The recesses are integrated directly into the hob plate structure, merging the attachment mechanism with the plate itself. This eliminates the need for separate fastening elements while maintaining secure attachment of pan supports through the form-fitting recess design.
Solution Approach 2:
The hob plate with integrated recesses serves its own fastening function without requiring external fastening elements. The recesses themselves provide the attachment mechanism, allowing pan supports to be secured through their own geometric form rather than through additional pins or screws.
2Reliability
If additional fastening elements are used to secure pan supports, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to additional fastening steps
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is merged into the hob plate by forming recesses as integral parts of the plate structure. This eliminates separate fastening steps and allows the recesses to be created during the primary manufacturing process of the hob plate itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The recesses are pre-formed into the hob plate structure during its manufacturing process, before the pan supports are attached. This preliminary creation of attachment features simplifies the overall manufacturing sequence by eliminating subsequent fastening operations.
3Reliability
If holes or embossing are made in the hob plate to attach pan supports, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the surface finish and visual appearance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The recesses are strategically positioned and shaped to provide local attachment functionality only where needed for pan support attachment. The rest of the hob plate surface maintains its original smooth finish and aesthetic quality, as the recesses are confined to specific locations rather than disrupting the overall surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment features are merged into the hob plate as integrated recesses rather than as separate holes or embossing elements. This integration allows the attachment mechanism to be part of the plate's inherent structure without appearing as distinct, visually disruptive features.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooking hob arrangement (1), in particular a gas cooking hob, with a cooking hob plate (2) which has an opening (17) for at least one gas burner (4, 5), the cooking hob plate (2) comprising at least one recessed portion (15) and/or one protruding portion (18) for retaining a pot/pan support (8, 9) and being produced at least partially from a ceramic material.