Kitchen utensil for placing on an induction hob

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing kitchen utensils for induction hobs face challenges in thermal insulation and material efficiency, leading to uneven temperature distribution and potential damage from excessive heating.

Innovation Solution

A kitchen utensil design featuring an inductive heating device between the inner and outer shells, with a support structure that includes thermal insulation and a honeycomb structure, allowing for efficient thermal management and reduced material thickness without compromising mechanical stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the outer shell is made thicker to improve mechanical stability, then the structural strength increases, but the thermal insulation performance deteriorates and material usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidthermal insulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple individual support elements distributed between the inner and outer shells, allowing each element to provide localized mechanical support while maintaining thermal insulation gaps throughout the structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure incorporates a porous or lattice design that provides mechanical strength through geometric configuration rather than material volume, maintaining thermal insulation performance while reducing material usage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Loss of substance

If the material thickness is reduced to save materials, then material usage decreases, but the mechanical stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial usageVSAvoidmechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure consists of multiple discrete support elements rather than continuous thick walls, reducing total material usage while distributing mechanical support functions throughout the structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines different materials with complementary properties - the inner shell uses magnetizable material for induction heating, while the support structure uses non-magnetizable material with appropriate mechanical properties, optimizing both functionality and material efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If thermal insulation is improved by increasing the gap between shells, then thermal insulation performance increases, but the mechanical stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidmechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The gap between shells is segmented into multiple smaller gaps by distributing support elements, maintaining thermal insulation performance while providing numerous points of mechanical support

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure acts as an intermediary element between the inner and outer shells, mechanically coupling them while thermally insulating, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of mechanical stability and thermal insulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Strength

If the support structure is made more complex to improve mechanical stability, then the structural strength increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidsupport structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented into multiple simple, identical support elements rather than one complex structure, simplifying manufacturing and assembly while providing distributed mechanical support

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure serves multiple functions simultaneously - providing mechanical support, maintaining the thermal insulation gap, and potentially facilitating assembly - thereby reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design achieves improved thermal insulation, prevents excessive heating, and allows for the use on standard induction hobs without special adaptations, while maintaining mechanical stability and reducing material usage.

Implementation Method 1

the inductive heating device in a installation position of the kitchen utensil can inductively couplable with an induction coil of the induction hob

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the floor is designed, arranged on a cooking area of ​​the induction hob and inductively heated by an induction coil of the cooking site

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 3

The space between the inner shell and the outer shell can also be filled with a thermal insulation material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4070694A1Kitchen utensil for placing on an induction hob
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP4070694A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4070694A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4070694A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a kitchen utensil (2) for placement on an induction hob (4), comprising an inner shell (6) with an inner base (8), an outer shell (16) with an outer base (18) spaced apart from the inner shell (6) by an intermediate space (14), and at least one support structure (24) arranged in the intermediate space (14) for receiving forces acting perpendicularly to each other on the surfaces of the inner shell (6) and the outer shell (16), wherein the support structure (24) bears directly or indirectly against the inner shell (6) and the outer shell (16) in a force-transmitting manner, characterized in that an inductive heating device (26) is arranged between the inner base (8) and the outer base (18) at a distance from the outer shell (16) in a heat-conducting manner on the inner base (8).wherein the inductive heating device (26) can be inductively coupled, directly and/or indirectly, to an induction coil of the induction hob (4) in a position where the kitchen utensil (2) is placed on the induction hob (4).