Spring Steel Hob Plate Holder for Heating Element Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hob designs with heating elements are complex and costly to produce due to precise assembly requirements and high tolerance demands, leading to increased production costs and potential detachment of heating elements from the hob plate due to material fatigue.
Innovation Solution
A hob with laterally clamping holding elements made of spring steel that directly attach to the hob plate, allowing for easy installation and adjustment of heating elements without height-specific requirements, using a frictional connection and beveled projections for secure fixation, eliminating the need for precise screw connections or resilient elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If complex mounting elements with embossing and positioning hooks are used to ensure precise positioning of heating elements, then positioning precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting element is divided into a base body and separate positioning arms that can be independently formed and assembled. The base body provides mounting functionality while the positioning arms provide precise positioning, allowing each component to be optimized separately and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning arms are pre-formed with specific geometries (embossing, hooks) that automatically engage with corresponding features on the heating element during assembly. This preliminary preparation of positioning features eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If low tolerance manufacturing is implemented for radiators and hobs to ensure precise fit, then positioning precision is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting element incorporates elastic positioning arms that can deflect and adapt to tolerance variations in the heating element and hob dimensions. By changing the mechanical property (elasticity) of the positioning arms, the system accommodates a wider range of dimensional parameters without requiring tight manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic material of the positioning arms provides a cushioning effect that compensates for tolerance accumulations before they result in poor fit or assembly failures. The elastic deformation absorbs dimensional variations, allowing standard tolerance ranges to be used in production.
3Reliability
If stable but resilient retaining elements are used to press radiators against the hob plate, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: the base body provides structural support and mounting, while the positioning arms provide both positioning and clamping forces. This merging eliminates the need for separate retaining clips, screws, and adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic positioning arms automatically generate clamping force through their inherent elasticity when installed, eliminating the need for additional fastening operations or adjustment mechanisms. The arms self-adjust to maintain contact pressure with the heating element during thermal expansion and contraction cycles.
4Reliability
If complex screw connections and precisely fitting fixations are used to secure heating elements, then fixation reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic positioning arms replace traditional mechanical fastening systems (screws, nuts, washers) with a spring-based elastic mechanism. The elastic deformation of the arms provides the necessary clamping force without requiring threaded connections or precise fitting holes, dramatically simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting element uses elastic material properties to convert static pre-load (from screws) into dynamic adaptive clamping force. The elastic arms continuously adjust their clamping pressure in response to thermal expansion, contraction, and positioning variations, maintaining reliable fixation without mechanical fasteners.
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 simplifies assembly, reduces production costs, and ensures reliable fixation of heating elements with high tolerance flexibility, preventing lateral displacement and material fatigue issues.
Implementation Method 1
holding elements made of spring steel that directly attach to the hob plate
Implementation Method 2
using a frictional connection and beveled projections for secure fixation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a hob having a hob plate (1), which can be mounted in a hob base (7), and a heating body (2) which is held on the lower face of the hob plate (1) by means of a holder in a releasable manner. The holder for the heating body (2) has holding elements (3) which are connected to the hob plate (1) and are formed and arranged on the sides of the heating body (2) in an elastically sprung manner such that they firmly clamp the heating body (2) at the sides.