Cooking Top Assembly with Reference Positioning to Prevent Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for assembling household cooking tops often result in deformation of heat shields and plates, leading to enamel damage, rust formation, and improper coupling between components, causing aesthetic and functional issues.

Innovation Solution

A method that assembles the cooking top without using fastening means to couple heat shields to the plate, utilizing reference means such as cylinders and tongues to accurately position components without deformation, allowing the cover to be sandwiched between the plate and heat shields, eliminating the need for a jig and preventing damage from drilling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If fastening means are used to couple heat shields to the plate, then the heat shields and plate are securely attached, but deformation occurs leading to enamel damage and rust formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling strengthVSAvoiddeformation and enamel damage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the fastening means (screws, clips, or other coupling elements) from the assembly process. Instead of coupling the heat shields to the plate through fasteners, the method assembles the cooking top by positioning components relative to each other using reference means, eliminating the need for fastening means that cause deformation and enamel damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces reference means (cylinders and tongues) as intermediary elements that facilitate accurate positioning and coupling of components without direct mechanical fastening. These reference means act as mediators that enable precise alignment and stable assembly while avoiding the harmful effects of traditional fastening methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If fastening means are tightened to secure heat shields and plate, then coupling stability is improved, but deformation occurs causing aesthetic and functional problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling stabilityVSAvoidcomponent deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates fastening means from the assembly process, removing the source of deformation caused by tightening. Stability is achieved through the geometric constraints and reference means rather than mechanical fastening, preventing both deformation and instability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical fastening system (screws, clips, tightening mechanisms) with a reference-based positioning system. Cylinders and tongues provide geometric constraints that ensure stable coupling without applying deforming forces, substituting a deformation-free mechanical approach for the traditional fastening method.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If a jig is used to assemble components, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and assembly time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidassembly equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the positioning function previously performed by external jigs into the components themselves through integrated reference means. The cylinders and tongues are part of the cooking top components, eliminating the need for separate assembly equipment while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The components perform their own positioning function through the reference means (cylinders and tongues) that are integral to their design. Instead of requiring external jigs to provide positioning, the components self-position relative to each other during assembly, simplifying the overall assembly process and reducing equipment requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Strength

If drilling is performed to install fastening means, then secure coupling is achieved, but damage to the cover and aesthetic defects occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling strengthVSAvoidcover damage and aesthetic defects
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes drilling and fastening operations from the assembly process. By eliminating fastening means entirely, there is no need to drill holes in the cover or any other component, preventing both structural damage and aesthetic defects while still achieving secure coupling through reference-based positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2558782B1Method for assembling a household cooking top
Publication Date: 2016.07.20 WHIRLPOOL EMEA SPA
  • EP2558782B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2558782B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2558782B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for assembling a household cooking top (1), of the type comprising a base (10) which houses at least one burner (11), in particular a gas burner. The invention is characterised in that said method comprises the following steps: a) associating a plate (20) with said base (10), said plate (20) having at least one first aperture (21) for inserting at least one burner (11), and at least one second aperture (22) for inserting at least one adjuster element (12) for turning on and/or turning off and/or adjusting said at least one burner (11); b) associating a cover (30) with said base (10) and with said plate (20), said cover (30) having at least one first hole (31) for inserting said at least one burner (11) and at least one second hole (32) for inserting said at least one adjuster element (12); c) associating a heat shield (40) with said at least one burner (11) through fastening means.