Electric Range Control Board Cooling and Support Structure Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric ranges face challenges in maintaining the rigidity of brackets and cooling the control board to prevent malfunctions due to heat generation, which can lead to deformation and operational issues.
Innovation Solution
The electric range incorporates a support member with a rod and elastic members to securely attach the control board to the cover plate, creating an air flow space for cooling and enhancing structural rigidity by using a combination of rods, elastic members, and strategically placed mounting protrusions to stabilize the control board and facilitate airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the control board is placed close to the heating portions to save space, then the device complexity is reduced, but the control board overheats and malfunctions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical air flow path beneath the control board, creating a three-dimensional cooling channel that allows air to circulate from below, through, and above the control board. This dimensional approach to cooling enables effective heat dissipation without increasing horizontal spacing between components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary cooling medium that flows through designated passages to transfer heat away from the control board. The air acts as a thermal mediator between the heat-generating control board and the surrounding environment, enabling heat dissipation without direct thermal contact with heating elements.
2Loss of substance
If the brackets are made thinner to reduce material usage, then the loss of substance decreases, but the rigidity of the brackets deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is segmented into multiple functional zones: a thin main body for material efficiency, reinforced edges for structural support, and integrated mounting protrusions for component attachment. This segmentation allows different thicknesses in different regions, optimizing both material usage and rigidity where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket utilizes a composite structure combining thin metal plates with strategically placed reinforcement ribs and mounting protrusions. This composite approach maintains overall thinness for material efficiency while providing localized rigidity through the integrated reinforcement elements.
3Reliability
If support members are added to stabilize the control board, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support members serve multiple functions simultaneously: they mechanically support the control board, provide mounting locations for electrical connections, and act as thermal barriers between the control board and heating elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are integrated with the bracket structure, combining the support function with the existing structural framework. The mounting protrusions are merged into the bracket design rather than being separate attachments, reducing overall component count while maintaining stability.
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 cools the control board and stabilizes it, preventing malfunctions and maintaining the structural integrity of the electric range by ensuring efficient heat dissipation and robust support.
Implementation Method 1
A first elastic member may be inserted into the rod, may be disposed at a circumference of the rod, and may have one side contacting the bottom surface of the upper bracket. The first elastic member may elastically support the rod. The first elastic member may apply pressure to the rod to push the rod upward, and accordingly, the control board coupled to the rod may also be pushed upward and may be adhered to the cover plate.
Implementation Method 2
an electric range may cool a control board by providing an air flow space at or near an arrangement portion of the control board may be provided
Implementation Method 3
An induction heating method may apply high-frequency power to a coil to generate a magnetic field around the coil and heat an object to be heated made of metal using an eddy current generated from the magnetic field. Thus, when electric current is applied to a working coil or a heating coil, heat is generated by induction and may heat the object.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An electric range includes a case and a cover plate coupled to an upper surface of the case to place an object. Further, the electric range may include a plurality of heating portions disposed below the cover plate to heat the object and an upper bracket disposed under the heating portion to support the heating portion a control board disposed between the cover plate and the upper bracket. Furthermore, the electric range may include a support member having a first end disposed under the control board and a second end disposed on the upper bracket to support the control board and a base bracket disposed under the upper bracket and comprising a printed circuit board.