Glass-Ceramic Cooktop Assembly With Screwless Spring Clip Biasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass-ceramic cooktops face challenges in securely attaching radiant heating elements to the cooktop frame without the use of screws or other fasteners, which can lead to instability and inefficient heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
A screwless spring clip system is used, comprising a support flange, locking tab, biasing tab, and locking flange, that secures the heating element to the cooktop frame and biases it to make contact with the glass cooktop panel, ensuring proper alignment and contact without screws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a screwless spring clip system is used to attach the heating element, then the ease of manufacture and assembly is improved, but the reliability of the attachment may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into multiple functional components: support flange for positioning, locking tabs for securing, and biasing elements for maintaining contact pressure. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, achieving reliable attachment without screws
Solution Approach 2:
The spring clip incorporates a biasing element that provides dynamic, self-adjusting contact pressure between the heating element and glass cooktop panel. This dynamic mechanism maintains reliable attachment while accommodating thermal expansion and manufacturing tolerances, eliminating the need for rigid screw fastening
2Loss of energy
If the heating element is securely biased into contact with the glass cooktop panel, then the heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clip combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it provides structural support through the support flange, secures the heating element via locking tabs, and maintains thermal contact through the biasing element. This merging eliminates the need for separate fasteners and alignment mechanisms, achieving efficient heat transfer without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing element in the spring clip automatically maintains optimal contact pressure between the heating element and glass cooktop panel without external intervention. This self-adjusting mechanism ensures consistent thermal contact and efficient heat transfer while eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms or pre-tensioned fasteners
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 provides a secure, screwless attachment of heating elements to the cooktop frame, ensuring efficient heat transfer and stability by maintaining the heating elements in firm contact with the glass cooktop panel, enhancing the overall performance and assembly process of glass-ceramic cooktops.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing tab is biased against an upwardly extending sidewall of the heating element
Implementation Method 2
The spring clip urges the heating element upwardly so as bias the upper surface of the heating element into contact with the lower surface of the glass cooktop panel
Implementation Method 3
A radiant heating element is positioned between the cooktop frame and the glass cooktop panel
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking appliance includes a glass cooktop panel and a cooktop frame. A radiant heating element is positioned between the cooktop frame and the glass cooktop panel. The heating element has an upper surface biased toward a lower surface of the glass cooktop panel. A screwless spring clip is coupled to both the heating element and the cooktop frame so as to secure the heating element to the cooktop frame.