Hydrophobic Cooktop Surface Pattern for Spill Containment and Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available cooktops with spill containment designs are difficult to clean due to trapped food and liquids between the cooking surface and encapsulating members, which can lead to spills burning and crusting on burner areas.
Innovation Solution
A cooking appliance surface featuring a hydrophobic pattern that bounds a non-hydrophobic region, allowing spills to be contained and easily cleaned, with the hydrophobic pattern repelling liquids and directing them to a defined spill containment area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an encapsulating member or molded border is used to contain spills, then spill containment is improved, but ease of cleaning deteriorates due to trapped food and liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical encapsulating member with a hydrophobic coating layer applied directly to the cooking appliance surface. This coating creates a chemical/physical barrier through surface tension effects rather than a mechanical structure, eliminating the trapped space problem while maintaining spill containment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic coating acts as a thin film layer on the cooking surface that provides spill containment without creating enclosed spaces. The coating is conformal and adheres directly to the surface, allowing easy access for cleaning while preventing spills from escaping the intended area.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a trim member is added to direct spilled liquids away from the burner, then safety is improved, but ease of cleaning deteriorates due to accumulated food and liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical trim member with a hydrophobic coating pattern that directs spills through surface tension effects. The coating creates flow paths that guide liquids away from burner areas without requiring physical barriers, thus maintaining safety while eliminating accumulation zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic coating is applied in specific patterns or regions corresponding to where spill redirection is needed. By creating localized hydrophobic zones around burner areas, the coating provides targeted protection without requiring complete coverage or additional mechanical components that would hinder cleaning.
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 hydrophobic pattern effectively contains spills, preventing them from exiting the cooking surface and simplifying cleanup by allowing liquids to bead up and pool in a non-hydrophobic region, reducing the risk of burning and crusting on heated areas.
Implementation Method 1
a spill containment pattern comprising a hydrophobic pattern disposed on the top surface and bounding at least a portion of the non-hydrophobic region
Data Source
AI summary
A pattern of high temperature hydrophobic surfaces for use with cooking and baking appliances, such as kitchen cooktops, stoves and oven interior walls. The pattern of hydrophobic surfaces confines overflowed liquids to the enclosed non-hydrophobic surface areas and away from protected areas, such as around burner control knobs, burner surfaces, cal rods, fan and vent openings, countertops, and the like. The hydrophobic materials used are able to withstand and effectively repel liquids at high operating temperatures.