Cooking Hob Vibration Sensor Assembly to Prevent Relative Movement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking appliances, particularly cooking hobs, face challenges in accurately monitoring cooking progress due to inadequate assembly and placement of vibration sensors, leading to suboptimal measuring results during automatic cooking processes.

Innovation Solution

A cooking appliance with a carrying plate equipped with a vibration sensor, where the sensor is securely attached using a rigid frame and a sealing frame to prevent relative movement, connected to a data bus for effective vibration detection and transmission, ensuring accurate monitoring of cooking processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the vibration sensor is loosely attached to the carrying plate, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to relative movement between sensor and plate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly complexityVSAvoidvibration detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-structuring the carrying plate with integrated attachment features (magnetic elements, mechanical clips, or adhesive layers) that automatically secure the vibration sensor in a fixed position during assembly. This preliminary structural preparation eliminates the need for complex post-assembly adjustments while ensuring precise, repeatable sensor positioning that prevents relative movement and maintains measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the vibration sensor is securely fixed to the carrying plate, then the measurement precision is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to additional assembly steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration detection accuracyVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the vibration sensor attachment function with the carrying plate structure itself by integrating magnetic elements, mechanical clips, or adhesive layers directly into the plate design. This consolidation eliminates separate attachment components and simplifies the assembly process to a single step, while simultaneously ensuring secure sensor fixation that prevents relative movement and maintains high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a rigid frame structure is used to secure the sensor, then the reliability of vibration detection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor positioning stabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing rigid structural support and precise positioning features only at the specific locations where the vibration sensor contacts the carrying plate, rather than constructing a complete rigid frame around the entire sensor. This localized reinforcement provides sufficient reliability for stable sensor positioning while avoiding the unnecessary structural complexity of a full-frame enclosure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 secure attachment and connection of the vibration sensor to the carrying plate enhance the accuracy and reliability of vibration detection, supporting better monitoring and control of cooking processes, particularly for liquids boiling on the hob.

Implementation Method 1

at least one sensing means (20) for the detection of vibration which is generated when food to be cooked and/or cooking adjuvant inside of the cookware is heated up

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration detection: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

which carrying plate transmits vibration movements from a cookware to the vibration sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration transmission: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4122290B1Cooking appliance with at least one carrying plate and method for assembling a vibration sensor
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES
  • EP4122290B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4122290B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4122290B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cooking appliance with at least one carrying plate (3) adapted to receive cookware placed thereon, in particular a cooking hob (1) with a top plate or with a system comprising a top plate and at least one pan support. At least one sensing means for the detection of vibration is comprised. The vibration is generated when food to be cooked and/or cooking adjuvant inside of the cookware is heated up. The food to be cooked and/or cooking adjuvant may be a cooking liquid. A vibration sensor is attached to the carrying plate (3) by way of fixation means which prevent relative movement between the vibration sensor and the carrying plate (3), in particular in the direction towards and/or away from each other. Further, a method for assembling a vibration sensor to a carrying plate (3) of a cooking appliance, particularly to a top plate of a cooking hob (1), is disclosed. The carrying plate (3) transmits vibration movements from a cookware to the vibration sensor. The assembly comprises the assembling steps: - a first rigid frame part (23) is rigidly connected to the carrying plate (3), preferably in a first assembling step; and - the vibration sensor is connected to the first rigid frame part (23) in a way that prevents relative movement between vibration sensor and carrying plate (3), in particular in the direction towards and/or away from each other, preferably in a second assembling step.