Gas Pedestal Burner with Elevated Base for Cleanability and Air Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional home cooking appliances with gas pedestal burners face issues such as increased susceptibility to food and spill trapping, difficulty in cleaning, and flame-induced discoloration of the cooktop surface due to a large footprint and inadequate air flow, which affects both cleanliness and flame production.
Innovation Solution
A gas pedestal burner design with a base portion that elevates the burner portion vertically above the cooktop surface, reducing the interface area between the burner and cooktop, and optimizing air flow by decoupling the footprint of the base from the burner, thereby improving cleanability and flame production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the burner footprint is increased to improve flame production and air flow access, then flame production improves, but the susceptibility to food and spill trapping increases and cleanability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The burner assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones: the burner body with ports for flame production, and the base portion with air flow channels. This segmentation allows the burner to access air from multiple directions (through the base and around the perimeter) without requiring a large continuous footprint, thereby maintaining flame production while reducing the area susceptible to spill trapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a two-dimensional footprint-based air intake approach to a three-dimensional air flow system. Air flow channels are incorporated within the base portion structure, enabling vertical and lateral air movement paths. This dimensional change allows sufficient air access for reliable flame production without expanding the horizontal footprint area that would trap spills.
2Shape
If the burner is lowered to maintain a low profile appearance, then aesthetic appearance improves, but access to secondary air for flame production is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The base portion is segmented with integrated air flow channels that provide multiple pathways for secondary air intake. This segmentation ensures that even when the overall burner profile is lowered for aesthetic purposes, air can still reach the flame through dedicated channels within the base structure and around the burner perimeter, maintaining reliable flame production.
Solution Approach 2:
The base portion acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the aesthetic requirement for a low profile and the functional requirement for air access. By incorporating air flow channels within the base itself, the design provides a hidden air intake system that maintains a sleek appearance while ensuring sufficient secondary air supply for flame production.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sealed burner openings are used to improve safety and contain flames, then safety improves, but access to secondary air is restricted and flame production is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed burner design is segmented with multiple air intake zones: primary air intake through sealed openings for safety, and secondary air intake through dedicated channels in the base portion and perimeter openings. This segmentation allows the sealed construction to maintain safety while the separate air flow paths ensure sufficient secondary air supply for reliable flame production.
Solution Approach 2:
The base portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the burner, contains integrated air flow channels for secondary air intake, and creates a barrier that directs air flow. This multi-functionality allows the sealed burner to maintain safety while ensuring adequate air supply through the versatile base structure.
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 enhances cleanability by reducing spill trapping and discoloration, while improving air flow for better flame production and maintaining a low-profile appearance, thus improving user satisfaction and appliance performance.
Implementation Method 1
improving air flow for better flame production
Implementation Method 2
receive and discharge a primary fuel and air mixture
Data Source
AI summary
A home cooking appliance includes a cooktop surface and a gas pedestal burner on the cooktop surface. The gas pedestal burner includes a burner portion having a sidewall, a lower surface facing the cooktop surface, a plurality of burner ports in the sidewall, and a base portion under the burner portion. The base portion elevates the burner portion in a vertical direction above the cooktop surface and has a lower mounting surface disposed on the cooktop surface. An area of a footprint of the lower mounting surface of the base portion is less than an area of a footprint of the lower surface of the burner portion.