Electric Range Lower Surface Venting to Reduce Fan Noise and Sagging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Electric ranges generate noise during operation due to air blowing fans, which also reduce air blow efficiency and do not meet safety standards, and can experience sagging of the lower surface.

Innovation Solution

The electric range incorporates a design with through holes on the lower surface for air supply and discharge, covered by slits to enhance air blow efficiency and safety, and uses a grill-less air blowing fan to reduce noise, with additional covers to prevent sagging and improve rigidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a grill is added to the air blowing fan to prevent foreign object contact, then safety standards are met, but noise is generated and air blow efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety standardsVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The grill is divided into multiple separate covers (first cover and second cover) that can be independently positioned. These covers are segmented into discrete components rather than a single solid structure, allowing air to pass through gaps between segments while still providing safety protection against foreign objects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grill structure is designed with varying local properties - the covers have different positions and orientations (first cover at first position, second cover at second position) to create optimal air flow paths while maintaining safety. Each local area of the grill serves the dual function of protection and air passage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a grill is added to the air blowing fan to prevent foreign object contact, then safety standards are met, but air blow efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety standardsVSAvoidair blow efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The grill is segmented into multiple separate covers positioned at different locations, creating multiple air flow paths through the gaps between covers rather than a single obstructed path. This segmentation allows efficient air circulation while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air flow is redirected into three-dimensional space by passing through gaps between vertically positioned covers, rather than forcing horizontal flow through a flat grill surface. This dimensional change optimizes air flow efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If the lower surface of the case is left open for air discharge, then air blow efficiency is maximized, but the lower surface sags due to lack of support

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair blow efficiencyVSAvoidlower surface stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The air discharge function is moved from the horizontal plane to the vertical dimension by positioning the second cover vertically at the lower end of the case. This allows the lower surface to maintain structural integrity while air discharge efficiency is preserved through the vertically-oriented cover

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Temperature

If the air blowing fan operates to cool the circuit, then temperature is reduced, but noise is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit temperatureVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The grill is segmented into multiple separate covers that create a less obstructed air flow path compared to traditional solid grill structures. This reduces turbulence and noise generation while maintaining the cooling function of the air blowing fan

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The covers are positioned at specific locations to optimize air flow characteristics - the first cover at the first position and second cover at the second position create smooth air flow paths that reduce turbulence-induced noise while effectively cooling the circuit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design reduces noise, maximizes air blow efficiency, meets safety standards by preventing foreign object contact, and complements the rigidity of the lower surface to prevent sagging.

Implementation Method 1

an air blowing fan configured to cool an inside of the case

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

electric current is supplied to a metallic resistance wire or a non-metallic heat generation element such as silicon carbide to generate heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule Heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

high-frequency power is supplied to a coil to generate a magnetic field around the coil, and eddy current produced in the generated magnetic field is used to heat an object to be heated made of a metallic material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3879927A1Electric range
Publication Date: 2021.09.15 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3879927A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3879927A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3879927A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an electric range. The electric range includes a case having a through hole on a lower surface thereof, and a cover having a slit formed to encircle the through hole, to maximize air blow efficiency, reduce noise caused by driving of the electric range, meet safety standards for an electric range, and prevent a sagging of the lower surface of the case.