Cooktop and resilient element support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooktop appliances face issues with uneven deflection and potential damage due to the movement or weight of cooking utensils, which can cause frames supporting heating elements to deflect or rub against the cooktop plate, leading to potential damage during shipment or use.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a raised ridge on a support panel with mounting springs that extend above the elevated surface, supporting heater frames and electric heating elements, ensuring even force distribution and preventing uneven deflection by counteracting downward forces with compression springs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If heating elements are mounted directly in frames that rest on the cooktop plate, then the structure is simple and easy to assemble, but the cooktop plate may deflect or rub against the frames under weight or during shipping, causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
A resilient element (spring) is introduced as an intermediary component between the frame and the cooktop plate. This spring absorbs deflection forces and prevents direct contact between the frame and the cooktop plate during shipping or under heavy loads, thereby eliminating the rubbing damage while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the cooktop plate is made rigid to prevent deflection, then structural stability is improved, but the weight increases and may still cause deflection under heavy cooking utensils
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the cooktop plate's physical parameters (making it thicker or heavier), the solution changes the mounting system's parameters by introducing a resilient element with specific spring constants that can accommodate expected deflection ranges while supporting the required loads.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heating elements with different frame sizes are provided, then versatility for different cookware sizes is improved, but the mounting structure becomes more complex with different frame designs
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient element is designed as a universal component that can support frames of various sizes and configurations. This allows different heating elements with different frame dimensions to use the same mounting mechanism, maintaining versatility while reducing the complexity of having to design different mounting systems for each frame size.
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
This configuration effectively reduces the risk of damage by maintaining even force distribution and preventing uneven deflection, ensuring reliable operation and longevity of the cooktop appliance.
Implementation Method 1
The mounting spring may be mounted to the raised ridge and extend above the elevated surface. The heater frame may be supported on the mounting spring below the cooktop plate.
Implementation Method 2
counteracting downward forces with compression springs
Data Source
AI summary
A cooktop appliance may include a cooktop plate, a support panel, a raised ridge, a mounting spring, a heater frame, and an electric heating element. The cooktop plate may define an upper cooking surface. The support panel may be disposed below the cooktop plate. The raised ridge may be disposed on the support panel. The raised ridge may define an elevated surface above the support panel. The mounting spring may be mounted to the raised ridge and extend above the elevated surface. The heater frame may be supported on the mounting spring below the cooktop plate. The electric heating element may be mounted within the heater frame below the cooktop plate.