Hob Burner Seal Geometry for Screw-Free Leak Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking hobs fail to maintain a consistent seal between the hob tray and burner due to the sealing element being displaced during assembly or operation, leading to potential liquid leakage and incomplete sealing without the use of connecting elements like screws.
Innovation Solution
A hob design featuring a circumferential sealing element made of soft synthetic material with an acute angle that contacts the burner flange, providing a secure seal without screws, and an optional sealing projection that maintains contact through the weight of the hob tray, ensuring full contact and sealing across the entire circumference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sealing element is positioned in a tensioned state with free edges bearing against the burner flange, then a seal is provided, but the sealing element may be moved out of place during assembly or operation
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is pre-formed with an acute angle geometry that automatically guides it into the correct position on the burner flange during assembly. The acute angle configuration acts as a self-positioning feature that prevents the sealing element from moving out of place, eliminating the need for additional fixing mechanisms while maintaining sealing reliability.
2Reliability
If a screw or connecting element is used to bring the gas distributor and burner together, then complete seal is ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the screw or connecting element from the assembly by redesigning the sealing element with an acute angle configuration. This extracted component approach simplifies the device by eliminating unnecessary fastening elements while maintaining the complete seal through the geometric design of the sealing element itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element with acute angle geometry is self-positioning and self-sealing. It automatically aligns with the burner flange and hob tray during assembly and maintains the seal through its own structural configuration, eliminating the need for external connecting elements or additional assembly steps.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sealing element is made of soft synthetic material, then flexibility and heat resistance are improved, but the ability to maintain consistent contact under varying conditions may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the sealing element by introducing an acute angle configuration. This geometric modification compensates for the softness of the synthetic material by providing a rigid structural framework that maintains consistent contact pressure and positioning, while the soft material continues to provide flexibility and heat resistance.
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 solution ensures a persistent and effective seal between the hob tray and burner, preventing liquid leakage and maintaining contact even with variations in shape or gaps, while being flexible and heat-resistant for long service life.
Implementation Method 1
a circumferential sealing element (30) which includes a soft synthetic material positioned around the burner (20) between the flange (22) and the hob tray (12)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
It concerns a hob (10) comprising a hob tray (12); a burner opening (16) provided in the hob tray (12); a burner (20) positioned under the hob tray (12) so that it can be accessed through the burner opening (16); a flange (22) provided on the burner (20) below the hob tray (12); a circumferential sealing element (30) which includes a soft synthetic material positioned around the burner (20) between the flange (22) and the hob tray (12); and an acute angle (34) presented toward the flange (22) between the burner (20) and the inner wall (33) of the sealing element (30) which comes into contact with the burner (20) to form a seal.