Flush-Mounted Gas Hob Heat Shield for Sensitive Worktops

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Heat-sensitive materials in kitchen environments, such as wooden or plastic workplates, are at risk due to heat radiation and conduction from gas burners, particularly when these burners are flush-mounted, as existing solutions do not adequately address the combined issues of heat radiation and conduction effectively.

Innovation Solution

A reflective shield with a U-shaped profile is positioned adjacent to the gas burner, featuring a slit for enhanced air convection and thermal conduction, combined with a heat barrier in the housing to prevent heat transfer into the workplate, providing comprehensive protection against heat radiation, convection, and conduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a flush-mounted kitchen hob is used to achieve a seamless appearance, then the aesthetic quality is improved, but heat-sensitive materials are exposed to intense heat radiation and conduction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseamless appearanceVSAvoidheat exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A reflective shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the heat source (gas burner) and the heat-sensitive workplate. This shield reflects heat radiation away from the workplate while allowing the kitchen hob to remain flush-mounted, thus maintaining the seamless appearance while protecting the workplate from heat damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective system is segmented into multiple functional components: a reflective shield for radiation protection, a heat barrier for conduction protection, and a slit for convection management. Each component addresses a specific heat transfer mechanism, allowing comprehensive protection while maintaining the flush-mounted design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If heat protection measures are added to protect heat-sensitive materials, then heat protection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat protectionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple protective functions are merged into a single integrated reflective shield component. The shield combines radiation reflection, heat conduction management, and convection control in one element, reducing the number of separate components needed while providing comprehensive heat protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The reflective shield serves multiple functions simultaneously: it reflects heat radiation, acts as a thermal barrier, and manages air convection through its integrated slit design. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components, simplifying the overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution effectively reduces heat exposure to the workplate by reflecting heat radiation, promoting air convection, and facilitating thermal conduction, thereby ensuring the safety of heat-sensitive materials while maintaining a seamless kitchen appearance.

Implementation Method 1

a reflective shield on the side of the heat source is provided to protect the heat-sensitive material from heat radiation emitted from the heat source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat radiation reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a slit is provided between the heat source and the lateral reflective shield in order to promote convectional air movement, thus further improving the cooling situation next to the heat source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

a housing of the heat source features a heat barrier to prevent heat conduction from a floor area of the housing into the sidewalls of the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction prevention: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2876372B1Arrangement for heat protection of a heat-sensitive material from a heat source, kitchen hob and method for heat protection
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES
  • EP2876372B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2876372B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2876372B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention discloses an arrangement for heat protection, a kitchen hob and a method for heat protection. Characteristically it is particularly suitable for a flush-mounted gas burner (115) and to protect a workplate (105) made of heat-sensitive material from the heat emanated from the flush-mounted gas burner. Three thermal effects are used to protect the heat-sensitive material (105), i.e. thermal conduction (5410), thermal convection (5650) and heat reflection (5350). A U-shaped profile (3200) located adjacent to the housing (4025) of the kitchen hob and to the cutout of the workplate allows to direct an air stream towards the gas burners (115, 5150, 5120, 5130, 5140) to improve the combustion as well as to provide cooling to the cutout. Accordingly, a normal industry standardized cutout may be used for a flush-mounted kitchen hob.