Induction Coil Mounting With Spring Spacers for Uniform Hob Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Induction cooking hobs face issues with non-uniform gaps between induction coils and the hob plate, which affects alignment and requires careful selection of support structure stiffness, and is further compromised by thermal deformations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a spring assembly and spacer elements in the induction coil device to ensure precise alignment with the hob plate, with the spring elements interacting with the support structure to maintain uniformity and compensate for thermal deformations, and using a support frame with housing seats and through-hole portions for precise force direction and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the support structure is screwed onto the support structure for fixing the position of the induction coil device, then the induction coil device is fixed in position, but the gap between the induction coils and the hob plate becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame is transformed from a rigid fixed structure to a dynamic structure with spring elements that can adapt to thermal expansions and contractions, maintaining uniform gap through elastic deformation rather than rigid constraint
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffness parameter of the support structure is modified by introducing spring elements with specific elastic properties, allowing the structure to change its mechanical response from rigid to compliant, thereby accommodating thermal variations while maintaining gap uniformity
2Manufacturing precision
If the stiffness of the support structure is carefully chosen to mitigate gap differences, then the gap uniformity is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of carefully selecting and controlling the stiffness of a rigid support structure, the invention changes the fundamental parameter from rigid stiffness to elastic compliance, using spring elements with inherent ability to accommodate variations without precise control
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements act as pre-configured cushioning elements that anticipate and compensate for thermal expansions and contractions before they cause gap non-uniformity, eliminating the need for complex stiffness optimization
3Stability of the object's composition
If the support structure is made rigid to maintain position, then the structural stability is improved, but thermal deformations cause relative position changes between induction coil devices and hob plate
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic elastic structure that can adapt to thermal conditions, maintaining position consistency through controlled deformation rather than rigid resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements are designed to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the support structure, allowing the induction coil device to maintain uniform gap with the hob plate despite thermal deformations of the support structure
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 solution ensures uniform gap maintenance between induction coils and the hob plate, eliminates the need for precise support structure stiffness selection, and provides stable alignment despite thermal variations, enhancing the performance and efficiency of induction cooking hobs.
Implementation Method 1
a spring assembly having one or more spring elements configured to interact with the support structure and the support frame and to force the support frame towards the hob plate
Implementation Method 2
any thermal deformations of the support structure are compensate by the spring assembly
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of spacer elements mounted to and protruding from the support frame and designed to abut against the hob plate
Implementation Method 4
induction coil device for an induction cooking hob having a hob plate and a support structure. The induction coil device is designed to be interposed between the hob plate and the support structure
Implementation Method 5
induction cooking hob for the thermal treatment of food products
Data Source
AI summary
There is described an induction coil device (4) for an induction cooking hob (1) having a hob plate (2) and a support structure (3). The induction coil device (4) is designed to be interposed between the hob plate (2) and the support structure (3) and comprises at least one induction coil (10), a support frame (11) carrying the induction coil (10), a spring assembly (12) having one or more spring elements (13) configured to interact with the support structure (3) and the support frame (11) and to force the support frame (11) towards the hob plate (2); and a plurality of spacer elements (14) mounted to and protruding from the support frame (11) and designed to abut against the hob plate (2).