Cooking Hob Bottom Panel Springs for Glass Contact Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking hobs lack control over the deformation of the bottom panel and the force exerted on the heating elements, leading to uncertainty and potential glass deformation or rupture due to the use of non-integrated elastic means.
Innovation Solution
The bottom panel is cut to create a shaped strip that acts as a spring, with helicoidal slots forming conical springs to urge the heaters against the glass plate, allowing precise control over the elastic force and deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the whole bottom panel is used as an elastic body allowing deflection, then the heating elements are urged against the upper glass plate, but the force exerted on the heater cannot be controlled and may lead to glass deformation or rupture
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom panel is segmented by cutting it to create a shaped strip that acts as a spring, localized in a predetermined zone. This segmentation allows control over the elastic force in specific areas while maintaining stability elsewhere, preventing uncontrolled glass deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom panel has different properties in different zones: a shaped strip cut to act as a spring in the predetermined zone where heating elements are located, while the rest of the panel maintains its structural integrity. This local differentiation enables controlled force application without compromising overall stability.
2Reliability
If commercial hobs use integrated elastic means, then the manufacturing process becomes complex and costly, but the force control is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic spring function is merged directly into the bottom panel by cutting it to create a shaped strip. This integration eliminates the need for separate elastic components, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs while maintaining reliable force control.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom panel itself provides the elastic spring function through its cut-shaped strip, eliminating the need for additional components. The panel serves dual purposes: structural support and elastic force generation, reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Force
If separate elastic components are used, then the force control is improved, but the number of components increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic spring function is merged into the bottom panel structure itself through cutting to create a shaped strip. This reduces the number of separate components while maintaining precise force control, as the spring action is an inherent property of the cut panel geometry.
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 provides a reliable and cost-effective method for manufacturing a cooking hob with reduced components, ensuring consistent contact between the heaters and the glass plate without risking glass deformation, and is adaptable to various heater types.
Implementation Method 1
by cutting the bottom panel according to a predetermined shape, it is possible to define a shaped strip of the bottom panel which, after a predetermined upward deformation, has the function of a spring integral with the bottom panel
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~7
Figure 8
AI summary
A cooking hob comprises a bottom panel, an upper plate and heating elements interposed between the bottom panel and the upper plate, elastic means being interposed between the bottom panel and the heating elements for urging these latter against the upper plate. The elastic means comprise a helicoidal shaped slot or an U-shaped slot wherein the elastic means are localized in predetermined zones of the bottom panel and are integral therewith. A method for producing such a cooking hob.