Gas Burner Module with Below-Surface Air Duct for Compact Hob Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas cooking hobs with top breathers are aesthetically less pleasing due to their higher design compared to bottom breathers and require an air duct above the hob, which affects their appearance.

Innovation Solution

A burner module design with an air duct cross-section located partially below the cover plate's upper surface, allowing the burner crown to be positioned closer, resulting in a flatter and more aesthetically appealing design while maintaining efficient air intake for combustion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the air duct for primary air is positioned above the cover plate (top breather design), then efficient air intake for combustion is achieved, but the burner module height increases and aesthetic appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidburner module height
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The air duct cross-section is repositioned from above the cover plate to below the upper surface, utilizing the vertical space between the burner crown and overflow bowl. This dimensional relocation allows the air intake function to be maintained while reducing the overall burner module height to match bottom breather designs, resolving the contradiction between combustion efficiency and aesthetic appearance.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The air duct is nested within the existing structure between the burner crown and overflow bowl, utilizing the available internal space. This nesting approach allows the air duct to be accommodated without increasing the external dimensions of the burner module, thereby maintaining compact height while ensuring proper air supply for combustion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Length of stationary object

If the burner crown is positioned closer to the cover plate to reduce height, then aesthetic appearance improves, but air intake for combustion may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburner module heightVSAvoidair intake efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The air duct cross-section is positioned below the upper surface of the cover plate, utilizing the vertical space between the burner crown and overflow bowl. This allows the burner crown to be placed closer to the cover plate for a flatter design while the air duct maintains its air intake function through the lower positioned cross-section, resolving the contradiction between compact height and air intake efficiency.

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

3Reliability

If the overflow bowl transition rim is elevated above the cover plate surface to prevent liquid overflow, then liquid containment is improved, but the burner module height increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid containmentVSAvoidburner module height
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The transition rim of the overflow bowl is elevated locally above the cover plate surface only where needed to create a barrier against liquid overflow. This localized elevation provides liquid containment functionality while minimizing the impact on overall burner module height, as the elevation is confined to a specific region rather than uniformly increasing the entire structure.

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

The design achieves a compact, flat burner module with a similar height to bottom breathers, preventing liquid overflow into the air duct and enhancing the overall appearance of the cooking hob while ensuring efficient combustion.

Implementation Method 1

an air duct for admitting primary air for a flame of the burner module is established between the burner crown and the overflow bowl

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

The air duct is configured to draw primary air from above the cover plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

a burner crown with a burner cap for the shape and position of a flame of the burner module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 4

an overflow bowl which is configured to collect overflowing liquids

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4261459A1Burner module for a cooking hob
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES
  • EP4261459A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4261459A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4261459A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a burner module (1) for a cooking hob (2), comprising at least the following components: - a support frame (3) for a cooking vessel; - a burner crown (4) with a burner cap (5) for the shape and position of a flame of the burner module (1); and - an overflow bowl (6) with a transition rim (7) for forming a transition to an upper surface (8) of a cover plate (9) of a cooking hob (2), wherein an air duct (10) is formed between the burner crown (4) and the overflow bowl (6) for admitting primary air (11) for a flame of the burner module (1). The burner module (1) is in particular characterised in that the cross-section (12) of the air duct (10) for the primary air (11) is arranged at least partially below the upper surface (8) of the cover plate (9). With the burner module proposed here, a very low overall height can be achieved.