Cooking Pan Cover Plate Support for Flexible Sealed Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking hobs with cover plates are limited in design freedom due to the need for flat edges to ensure tightness with the flange, restricting shape options and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A support element is used to support the cover plate on a flange of the hob side wall, allowing the cover plate to assume various shapes and be connected via a sealing element, enabling detachable attachment methods like welding, screwing, or gluing, and incorporating ventilation slots for gas hobs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cover plate is directly connected to the flange with a sealing element, then sealing tightness is ensured, but the cover plate must have flat edges which restricts design freedom and aesthetic options
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate functional elements: the support element (with mounting element) handles the mechanical connection and positioning, while the sealing element is arranged separately between the flange and cover plate. This segmentation allows the cover plate edge to be freely shaped without being constrained by sealing requirements, as the sealing function is independent from the connection geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element acts as an intermediary component between the flange and the cover plate. It provides the mounting function while allowing the sealing element to perform its function independently. This intermediary structure enables the cover plate to have non-flat edges while maintaining proper sealing through the dedicated sealing element.
2Shape
If the cover plate edges are made flat to ensure sealing, then sealing tightness is maintained, but aesthetic appearance and functional versatility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the sealing function from the structural connection function, the cover plate edge can be shaped freely for aesthetic and functional purposes without compromising sealing implementation. The sealing element is positioned independently between the flange and cover plate, allowing complex edge shapes while maintaining manufacturing simplicity for the sealing aspect.
3Device complexity
If the cover plate is directly supported on the flange, then structural simplicity is maintained, but design freedom and aesthetic options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into a support element and a separate mounting element. The mounting element (e.g., flange or bracket) provides the structural attachment to the hob, while the support element (L-shaped in preferred embodiments) provides the actual support to the cover plate. This segmentation decouples the structural support function from the cover plate geometry, enabling diverse design options.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element serves as an intermediary between the mounting element and the cover plate, allowing the cover plate to be supported without direct contact with the flange. This intermediary structure enables the cover plate to have various edge shapes and designs while maintaining structural support.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooking pan comprising a flange (14) which is at least partially embodied on at least one lateral wall (12) of the cooking pan (10) and used to support a covering plate (18) for covering the cooking pan (10), and a sealing element (16) arranged on the flange (14). In order to increase the design freedom for the embodiment of the covering plate (18), at least one supporting element (20) is associated with the covering plate (18), said supporting element supporting the covering plate (18) on the flange (14).