Electric Cooktop Locking Stem Design to Prevent Cookware Tipping

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a safety system that prevents cookware vessels from accidentally tipping over or being pulled off electric cooktops, which is a common cause of burn injuries, especially among children, as conventional safety devices are primarily designed for gas cooktops and do not effectively address the risks associated with electric cooktops.

Innovation Solution

An electric cooktop safety system featuring a safety cooking vessel with a detachable safety stem that includes keyed members, which can be securely locked into a bottom stem locking member on the cooktop, preventing vertical movement and ensuring the vessel remains stable during use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional safety devices are used on electric cooktops, then some protection is provided, but these devices are designed for gas cooktops and do not effectively prevent cookware from tipping over or being pulled off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety effectivenessVSAvoidcompatibility with electric cooktops

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The safety system is divided into separate components: a safety stem attached to the cookware vessel and a locking member integrated into the cooktop. This segmentation allows the device to be adapted to electric cooktops while maintaining safety functionality, as each component can be independently designed for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The safety stem acts as an intermediary element between the cookware vessel and the cooktop locking mechanism. It provides the connection interface that enables secure attachment to electric cooktops, bridging the gap between the cookware and the fixed locking structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the cookware vessel is free to move on the cooktop surface, then ease of placement and removal is improved, but the risk of accidentally tipping over or pulling off increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of placement and removalVSAvoidrisk of tipping over

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism incorporates a spring-loaded plunger that can dynamically move between engaged and disengaged positions. This allows the system to transition between a secured state (preventing tipping) and an accessible state (easy removal), adapting to different operational needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The safety stem and locking member are designed to automatically engage when the cookware is placed on the cooktop, providing preliminary protection against tipping before any accidental forces can act on the vessel. The spring mechanism ensures automatic engagement without requiring user action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS11536459B2Electric cooktop safety system

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 LE BLANC ERIC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an electric cooktop safety system. More particularly, the electric cooktop safety system pertains to safety cookware vessels having special fastening components that secure these safety cookware vessels to an electric cooktop, preventing a user from accidentally tipping or pulling off the safety cookware vessels from the electric cooktop. In one implementation, the fastening components may include a safety stem having keyed members and stem locking members disposed on a safety cooktop to secure the safety cookware vessel to the safety cooktop. In another implementation, the fastening components may include electro-magnetic fastening components to secure the safety cookware vessel to the safety cooktop.