Cooking Hob Window Gasket for Precise Screen Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking appliances with glass-ceramic hobs face challenges in precisely positioning and fixing control/display screens relative to the base plate, leading to suboptimal display quality due to elastic connections and potential screen movement, which is exacerbated by high-resolution screens requiring precise alignment.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a synthetic material joint with mechanical fixing means, such as screws, supports, or clips, to securely attach the control/display screen to the gasket between the screen and the base plate, ensuring precise positioning and fixing in three dimensions, and using a gasket with inner and outer parts for enhanced mechanical strength and fluid tightness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a permanently elastic connection is used between the window and the base plate, then the connection allows for thermal expansion and material flexibility, but the window can move during use which is detrimental to the perception of the screen display

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal expansion accommodationVSAvoidscreen positioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into two functional segments: the permanently elastic connection (gasket) handles thermal expansion and material flexibility, while the rigid fixing means (screws, supports, or clips) attached to the gasket provides stable positioning for the screen. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gasket serves as an intermediary element between the base plate and the screen fixing means. It provides a stable mounting surface for the rigid fixing components while maintaining the elastic connection to the base plate, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of flexibility and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If no means of fixing the screen is provided, then the structure remains simple, but it is difficult to achieve precise positioning and fixing of the screen vis-à-vis the window

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection structure simplicityVSAvoidscreen positioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing means (screws, supports, or clips) are integrated with or attached to the existing gasket structure. This merging approach allows the addition of precise fixing capability without creating a completely separate and complex fixing system, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving the required positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The gasket, which already serves the function of sealing and connecting the window to the base plate, is utilized additionally as a mounting structure for the screen fixing means. This self-service approach allows the existing component to fulfill multiple functions, reducing the need for additional dedicated fixing structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If high-resolution screens are used, then the display quality is improved, but the requirement for precise alignment and positioning becomes more stringent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay resolutionVSAvoidscreen alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces reliance solely on mechanical precision of the mounting structure with an optical correction approach. The lens system compensates for minor misalignments and distortions, allowing high-resolution screens to function effectively even with moderate positioning tolerances, thus reducing the stringency of alignment requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If the screen is fixed to the base plate directly, then the fixing is rigid and stable, but the screen cannot be easily replaced and the joint between window and base plate cannot be serviced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen fixing stabilityVSAvoidscreen replacement ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing system is segmented into removable fixing means (screws, supports, or clips) that can be independently accessed and manipulated. This segmentation allows the screen to be detached and replaced without disturbing the permanent elastic connection between the window and base plate, maintaining both stability and serviceability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing system transitions from a static, permanent fixation to a dynamic, reversible fixation. The fixing means can be engaged to provide stable mounting during operation and disengaged for replacement or maintenance, adapting the connection state based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2761227B1Cooking hob with window, cooking appliance and method of manufacturing the cooking hob

Publication Date: 2016.01.13 EUROKERA SOC & NOM COLLECTIF

Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a hob (2), notably a vitreoceramic hob, for a fixed or mobile cooking appliance (1), said hob (2) having at least one cooking zone (3, 3') and at least one control and/or information zone (4), said control and/or information zone (4) being formed by a window (5) separated from said cooking zone (3, 3') by at least one synthetic gasket (6), characterized in that said gasket (6) comprises means for attaching a control and/or display screen under said window (5).