Cooktop Window Sealing Structure With Heat-Shielding End Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking appliances face challenges in achieving a reliable and precise sealing between the window and base plate, particularly when exposed to heat from cooking utensils, leading to potential damage and impaired display quality due to fragile connections and high costs associated with heat-resistant silicone joints.

Innovation Solution

A cooking appliance design featuring a synthetic material seal between the base plate and window, protected by a flange with a higher solid-to-viscous transformation point than the seal material, ensuring heat resistance and precise positioning, and using a flange to shield the seal from heat sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a seal made of synthetic material is used between the window and base plate, then the sealing function is achieved, but the seal is damaged by heat from cooking utensils

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing functionVSAvoidheat damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A flange made of heat-resistant material is introduced as an intermediary element between the window and the base plate. This flange serves as a protective barrier that shields the synthetic material seal from direct contact with hot cooking utensils, while the seal continues to perform its sealing function between the window and the flange or base plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection structure is divided into separate functional elements: the flange provides heat resistance and structural support, while the seal provides the sealing function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the flange for heat resistance and the seal for sealing - rather than requiring a single material to perform both functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a permanently elastic connection is used between the window and base plate, then flexibility is provided, but the connection is fragile and the window can move during use

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system uses a composite structure combining a rigid flange made of heat-resistant material with a flexible seal made of synthetic material. The rigid flange provides structural stability and prevents window movement, while the flexible seal maintains the necessary elasticity for sealing and accommodates thermal expansion or contraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If heat-resistant silicone joint is used between base plate and window, then heat resistance is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes expensive and difficult to implement in large quantities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heat-resistant function is separated from the sealing function. The flange made of heat-resistant material handles the heat resistance requirement, while the seal made of less expensive synthetic material handles the sealing function. This allows the use of cheaper materials for the seal while maintaining heat resistance through the flange structure, simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flange acts as an intermediary that protects the seal from heat exposure. This allows the seal to be made from less expensive synthetic materials that would otherwise be damaged by heat, while the flange absorbs the thermal stress and protects the sealant joint from direct heat contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively protects the seal from heat, maintains precise positioning and fixing of the display screen, and reduces manufacturing complexity and costs while ensuring fluid tightness and clear display quality.

Implementation Method 1

a flange (66, 66') of a material different from that of the seal (6) covering at least part of the outer surface of the seal (6) located between the outer surface (21) of the base plate (2) and the outer surface (51) of the window (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a seal (6) of synthetic material located between a part of the edge (20) of the base plate (2) and a part of the edge (50) of the window (5) to allow sealing between the window (5) and the base plate (2) vis-à-vis the outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentEP2923154B1Cooktop with window and end plate, cooking appliance, and method for manufacturing the cooktop
Publication Date: 2019.02.13 EUROKERA SOC & NOM COLLECTIF
  • EP2923154B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2923154B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2923154B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a cooktop (1) for a fixed or mobile cooking appliance, having a base plate (2), at least a part, or all, of the peripheral outer edge (57) of said window (5) being in the plane of the peripheral outer edge (27) of said base plate (2), characterized in that said cooktop has at least one end plate (66) which is made of different material than that of the seal (6) and is disposed above or on said seal (6), at least a part of the outer surface (61) of said seal (6) which is located between the outer surface (21) of said base plate (2) and the outer surface (51) of said window (5) being covered by said end plate (66').