Cooking device with a partition panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking space dividers in cooking appliances face issues with compact design, reliable electrical contacting, and mechanical stability due to protruding electrical contacts that are prone to damage during handling and insertion.
Innovation Solution
A cooking appliance with a plate-like support and laterally extending electrical contacts, where the contacts are arranged on the carrier's side, providing a compact and robust configuration, ensuring reliable and stable electrical contacting by minimizing surface contact area and optimizing the contact zone for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical contacts extend backwards on the rear side of the cooking space divider, then electrical contacting can be achieved, but the contacts are prone to damage during handling and insertion, and jamming occurs during pushing in
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contacts are repositioned from extending backwards (longitudinal direction) to extending laterally outward (lateral direction, perpendicular to insertion direction). This dimensional change moves the contacts out of the insertion path, preventing damage during handling and jamming during pushing in, while maintaining electrical contacting functionality through lateral alignment with corresponding contacts in the cooking chamber.
2Device complexity
If electrical contacts extend laterally outward perpendicular to insertion direction, then compact configuration is achieved and mechanical stability is improved, but the contact zone must be precisely positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contacts are pre-positioned and fixed in their lateral extension configuration before insertion. The contact zones are preliminarily aligned with guide features or reference marks on the cooking chamber, ensuring precise positioning is achieved during manufacturing rather than during operation, thereby simplifying the insertion process while maintaining manufacturing precision requirements.
3Device complexity
If electrical contacts are arranged on the longitudinal side extending laterally outward, then compact design is enabled and mechanical stability is enhanced, but the contact area must be optimized to minimize surface contact
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contacts feature a localized contact zone with elevated or protruding contact points on the lateral extending portion. This creates a small, concentrated contact area at the specific location where electrical contacting occurs, while the rest of the lateral extension provides structural support and positioning. This local quality differentiation minimizes the actual surface contact area for electrical connection while maintaining the overall compact lateral configuration.
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 enables a compact, robust, and reliable electrical contacting system that prevents damage to contacts, ensures stable mechanical positioning, and maintains a reliable electrical connection even with positional tolerances, while minimizing installation space and preventing jamming or spreading during insertion.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heating element (40) which is arranged on the support (1), with a heating element of the heating element being connected to electrical contacts (4, 5) which are formed on the cooking space support (1)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The panel (1) has a plate-like support, and a heating body comprising a heating element that is connected with electrical contacts (4, 5) of the panel. The electrical contacts are laterally arranged at the support in an outwardly-extending manner, where length of the electrical contacts extends till to limiting edges (10, 11) of the support. The electrical contacts are designed as plate-like strips and oriented outwardly with its longitudinal axis. The heating body is arranged between upper and lower sides (2, 3) of the panel, where the upper side is made from glass ceramic material. An independent claim is also included for a cooking device comprising a cooking chamber.