Glass Cooktop Stand Elements for Secure Pan-Stand Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking tops, particularly those made of glass or glass-ceramic, face challenges in manufacturing flexibility and cost due to the need for new molds and production lines for different burner arrangements and aesthetic variations, with the creation of pan-stand retaining recesses being difficult and costly, and prone to material cracking.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of stand elements with constraining means, such as wedge-shaped projections and rest perimeters, and connecting means like hooks, which allow for secure fastening and modular assembly without requiring slots or dimples on the cooking top, enabling easy production of various variants without adapting entire production lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If recesses are created in glass cooking top for retaining pan-stand, then pan-stand positioning is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the pan-stand retention function from the cooking top surface by using a rear profile structure that engages with the pan-stand from behind, eliminating the need to create recesses in the glass surface. This allows the glass top to remain intact while still achieving secure pan-stand positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear profile acts as an intermediary element between the glass cooking top and the pan-stand. It provides the retention mechanism without requiring modifications to the glass surface, thus avoiding the need for expensive and structurally compromising recesses while still achieving reliable pan-stand positioning.
2Reliability
If recesses are created in glass cooking top for retaining pan-stand, then pan-stand positioning is achieved, but structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retention function is extracted from the glass surface and relocated to a rear profile structure. This eliminates the need to compromise the glass top's structural integrity by creating recesses, while still achieving secure pan-stand positioning through the rear engagement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear profile serves as an intermediary that provides pan-stand retention without requiring any structural modifications to the glass cooking top. The engagement occurs behind the glass surface, preserving the top's structural integrity while achieving reliable positioning.
3Reliability
If rear profile is used for pan-stand retention, then pan-stand positioning is achieved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism is extracted and placed in the rear profile area, which is typically hidden from view. This allows the front surface of the cooking top to maintain its clean, aesthetic appearance while the functional retention elements are positioned in the background where they do not affect visual appeal.
4Reliability
If rear profile is used for pan-stand retention, then pan-stand positioning is achieved, but cleaning accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism is extracted and positioned in the rear profile area, creating a spatial separation between the cleaning surface (front) and the retention mechanism (rear). This allows the front surface to remain fully accessible for cleaning while the retention function is performed by elements positioned in the background.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a household cooking top (10), in particular made of glass, of the type comprising: - a plurality of burners (20), in particular gas burners, - a plurality of fitting disks (30) for securing each burner (20) to the cooking top (10), said fitting disks (30) being in relief from the surface of the cooking top (10), - one or more support (stand) elements (40, 41, 42) for laying at least one cooking container over said plurality of burners (20). The present invention is characterized in that said one or more stand elements (40, 41, 42) comprise constraining means (43, 44, 45, 47) which are coupled to at least two of said fitting disks (30), thus preventing said one or more stand elements (40, 41, 42) from translating relative to the cooking top (10).