Cooking Top Plate Layer Structure for Metallic Finish Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cooking devices with heat-resistant resin layers containing metallic tone pigments face aesthetic issues due to insufficient metallic appearance and risk of layer detachment or cracking when in contact with heaters.

Innovation Solution

A top plate design featuring a glass substrate with a metallic tone layer containing glass frit and a first metallic tone pigment, a first heat-resistant resin layer with a second metallic tone pigment, and a second heat-resistant resin layer with an inorganic pigment, where the first heat-resistant resin layer is between the metallic tone layer and the second heat-resistant resin layer to enhance aesthetic appearance and prevent detachment and cracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a heat-resistant resin layer containing metallic tone pigment is provided on the metallic tone layer, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the metallic aspect becomes insufficient and the layer may detach or crack

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidlayer detachment and cracking resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective layer is divided into two distinct layers: a first heat-resistant resin layer containing metallic tone pigment directly on the metallic tone layer, and a second heat-resistant resin layer containing inorganic pigment on top. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function - the first layer maintains metallic appearance and adhesion, while the second layer provides enhanced protection without compromising the underlying metallic effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite material structures where the first heat-resistant resin layer combines heat-resistant resin with metallic tone pigment to maintain both aesthetic appearance and metallic aspect. The second layer combines heat-resistant resin with inorganic pigment for additional protection. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by using material composition rather than a single homogeneous layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If no heat-resistant resin layer is provided, then the metallic aspect is maintained, but the metallic tone layer detaches or cracks when heater contacts the top plate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetallic aspect preservationVSAvoiddetachment and cracking resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The first heat-resistant resin layer acts as an intermediary between the metallic tone layer and the second protective layer. It contains metallic tone pigment to preserve the metallic aspect while providing the necessary adhesion and crack resistance. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by mediating between the aesthetic requirements and the structural strength requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameters of the protective layer by using two different heat-resistant resin compositions with different pigment contents. The first layer has higher metallic pigment content to maintain appearance, while the second layer has inorganic pigment for protection. This parameter change allows simultaneous achievement of metallic aspect preservation and detachment resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If a single heat-resistant resin layer is used, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the metallic aspect is insufficient and aesthetic appearance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidmetallic aspect and aesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The protective layer is segmented into two layers with different compositions and functions. The first layer focuses on maintaining metallic aspect with metallic tone pigment, while the second layer provides additional protection with inorganic pigment. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing different functions across layers, achieving both aesthetic requirements and protective function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs composite material structures where each layer has a specific composition optimized for its function. The first layer uses heat-resistant resin with metallic tone pigment for aesthetic appearance, while the second layer uses heat-resistant resin with inorganic pigment for protection. This composite approach maintains metallic aspect while providing comprehensive protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3730841B1Top plate for cooking devices and method for manufacturing same
Publication Date: 2023.09.20 NIPPON ELECTRIC GLASS CO LTD
  • EP3730841B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Provided is a top plate for a cooking device having a good metallic aspect to enable improvement in aesthetic appearance and exhibiting ess detachment of a layer containing a metallic tone pigment and less cracking. A top plate for a cooking device includes: a glass substrate 2 having a cooking surface 2b on which a cooking utensil is to be put and an underside surface 2a opposite to the cooking surface 2b; a metallic tone layer 3 provided on the underside surface 2a of the glass substrate 2 and containing a first metallic tone pigment; a first heat-resistant resin layer 4 provided on the metallic tone layer 3 and containing a second metallic tone pigment; and a second heat-resistant resin layer 5 provided on the first heat-resistant resin layer 4 and containing an inorganic pigment.