Induction Cooktop Pad System for Scratch and Heat Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Induction stoves face issues with cook-top safety and convenience due to susceptibility to scratches, cracking from heavy cooking vessels, residual heat, and inefficient cleaning, particularly in multi-stove settings like hotels or dormitories.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a pad system for induction stoves that includes a thermally insulating portion and a thermally transmissive member, designed to fit within recesses on the cook-top, preventing horizontal movement while allowing easy removal and replacement, and featuring materials like silicone rubber for heat insulation and impact absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a smooth ceramic glass cook-top surface is used, then ease of cleaning and appearance are improved, but susceptibility to scratches from cooking vessels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protective coating layer as an intermediary between the cooking vessel and the ceramic glass cook-top surface. This coating absorbs the mechanical stress and scratching actions from rough vessel surfaces, thereby protecting the underlying ceramic glass while maintaining its smooth, easy-to-clean properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The cook-top is constructed as a composite structure with multiple layers: a base ceramic glass layer providing smoothness and ease of cleaning, and an overlay protective coating layer providing scratch resistance. This composite approach combines the advantages of both materials while mitigating their individual weaknesses.
2Power
If heavy cooking vessels are used for induction cooking, then cooking capability is improved, but risk of cracking or breaking the cook-top increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a cushioning protective coating layer on the cook-top surface before heavy vessels are placed on it. This coating acts as a shock-absorbing layer that dissipates the impact forces from heavy or dropped vessels, preventing direct transmission of stress to the ceramic glass and reducing cracking risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer composite structure includes a resilient intermediate layer between the ceramic glass and the cooking vessel contact surface. This layer provides mechanical cushioning while maintaining thermal conductivity for effective induction cooking with heavy ferromagnetic vessels.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cook-top is made smooth and flat, then ease of cleaning is improved, but residual heat transfer to the cook-top surface increases causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The protective coating is designed with localized thermal properties: it provides thermal insulation at the cooking zones where vessels contact the surface, reducing residual heat transfer to the ceramic glass, while maintaining overall surface smoothness for ease of cleaning. The coating thickness or composition may vary locally to optimize this balance.
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 pad system enhances cook-top safety by reducing heat transfer and preventing scratches, facilitates efficient cleaning by allowing pad replacement and cleaning, and improves user safety by containing spills and reducing the risk of burns from residual heat.
Implementation Method 1
The ferromagnetic material is heated by means of magnetic hysteresis loss in the ferromagnetic material as well as by eddy currents created in the ferromagnetic material
Implementation Method 2
The ferromagnetic material is heated by means of magnetic hysteresis loss in the ferromagnetic material as well as by eddy currents created in the ferromagnetic material
Implementation Method 3
a wire coil located beneath the cook-top receives an alternating electrical current, and thereby creates an oscillating magnetic field
Implementation Method 4
The pad comprises a thermally insulating portion and a thermally transmissive member
Data Source
AI summary
An induction stove assembly that utilizes pads between the cook-top of the stove and cooking vessels placed on the stove for heating. The pads are easily removable and interchangeable with other similar pads. The pads help protect the cook-top from damage, make clean-up more efficient, and insulate the cook-top from excessive heating.