Elongated Support Beam for Induction Hob Plate Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing induction hobs face challenges with high suspension effort and instability of heating devices due to bending under contact pressure and temperature fluctuations, which affects the secure attachment and durability of heating devices to the support plate.

Innovation Solution

A hob design featuring a support beam that spans at least 80% of the support plate's length, providing an elongate carrier structure with undergrip and overhang portions to prevent bending, and connected via non-detachable or detachable fastening methods such as screws or rivets, ensuring secure attachment and stability of heating devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If heating devices are mounted directly on the carrier plate or with simple resilient mounting, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability and reliability of heating device attachment deteriorates due to bending under contact pressure and temperature fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting mechanism complexityVSAvoidheating device attachment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support beam is segmented into an undercut section extending below the carrier plate and an overcut section extending above it, with a transition zone connecting them. This segmentation allows the support beam to provide distributed support at multiple locations (below the plate, at the plate, and above the plate), preventing bending while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the support beam spans the entire carrier plate, then the stability and prevention of bending is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier plate stabilityVSAvoidsupport beam structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support beam exhibits local quality variations through its undercut and overcut sections. The undercut section provides support below the carrier plate where structural reinforcement is needed, the overcut section allows for mounting adjustments above the plate, and the transition zone provides a connection region. This localized differentiation of structural properties enables effective bending prevention without requiring complex structures throughout the entire beam.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If resilient mounting is used to allow for temperature expansion, then the adaptability to thermal fluctuations is improved, but the manufacturing precision and secure attachment deteriorates due to deflection under contact pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal expansion accommodationVSAvoidheating device positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support beam acts as an intermediary structural element between the carrier plate and the heating devices. It mediates the mechanical stresses and thermal expansions by providing a rigid support structure that spans the carrier plate, distributing contact pressures and preventing deflection that would otherwise compromise heating device positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3379900B1Hotplate
Publication Date: 2020.10.28 E G O ELEKTRO GERAETEBAU GMBH
  • EP3379900B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3379900B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3379900B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A cooktop comprises a cooktop surface, heating elements beneath it, and a support plate that carries the heating elements. An elongated support beam is provided, which spans the support plate largely in one direction and is attached to the support plate. In an undercut area, the support beam runs beneath the support plate, and in an overcut area, it runs above the support plate, penetrating the surface or plane of the support plate at least once from bottom to top.