Induction Hob Support Plane Design to Eliminate Sealing Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
State-of-the-art cooking devices with induction hobs face issues such as breakage of induction plates due to thermal dilation, difficulty in disassembly and maintenance, aesthetic imperfections, and cleaning challenges due to gaps between the support plane and induction plates, which require sealing and can lead to infiltration and damage.
Innovation Solution
A cooking device design featuring a support plane with continuous, flat upper and lower surfaces, including induction plate seatings made by removing material to accommodate dilation, with attachment elements to secure induction plates and indicators for positioning, eliminating the need for sealing and enhancing maintenance and cleaning accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the induction plate seating is made slightly larger than the induction plate to accommodate thermal dilation, then the induction plate can expand without breakage, but gaps are generated between the seating and the induction plate requiring sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the dimensional parameters of the induction plate seating, making it exactly matching the induction plate dimensions rather than larger. This eliminates gaps and the need for sealing materials, while the seating is designed to accommodate thermal expansion through precise dimensional matching and material selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the sealing layer from the system. By designing the seating to match the induction plate dimensions exactly, the patent removes the need for putty, sealants, or other sealing materials that were previously required to fill gaps between the plate and seating.
2Reliability
If sealing materials are used to fill gaps between the induction plate and support plane, then the induction plate is protected from breakage, but disassembly and maintenance become difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes sealing materials from the assembly, creating a gapless interface between the induction plate and seating. This allows the induction plate to be easily removed and reinstalled without cutting or scraping away sealants, enabling simple maintenance and replacement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention maintains clear separation between the induction plate and the seating structure, allowing the plate to be independently removed and reinstalled. The seating is designed as a distinct component that houses the plate without permanent bonding, facilitating modular maintenance.
3Shape
If the induction plate is installed flush with the support plane, then the appearance is improved, but installation becomes difficult and time-consuming to achieve perfect alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The induction plate seating is pre-formed during support plane manufacturing with precise dimensions that match the induction plate. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the plate is installed, it automatically achieves perfect flush alignment with the support plane surface without requiring complex adjustment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses visual indicators (such as colored markings or contrasting materials) on the support plane to indicate the correct positioning area for the induction plate. These indicators guide installers to place the plate in the correct location, ensuring perfect alignment and flush appearance.
4Reliability
If gaps exist between the support plane and induction hob, then thermal dilation is accommodated, but cleaning becomes difficult and liquids can infiltrate causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes gaps from the interface between the support plane and induction hob. By designing the seating to match the plate dimensions exactly, the patent eliminates the discontinuous zones where food residues and liquids could accumulate, creating a smooth, easy-to-clean surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the dimensional parameters of the seating to match the induction plate dimensions precisely, eliminating gaps. This parameter adjustment maintains the ability to accommodate thermal dilation through material selection and seating design while creating a continuous surface that prevents liquid infiltration and simplifies 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 solution allows for easy installation and disassembly of induction hobs, prevents mechanical stress from thermal dilation, improves aesthetics, and simplifies cleaning by eliminating gaps, making the device more reliable, efficient, and practical.
Implementation Method 1
an induction hob comprising one or more induction plates able to be selectively activated to heat and/or cook the food
Implementation Method 2
coils formed by electrical conductors are completely housed inside seatings provided in a plane
Implementation Method 3
to take into account the possible effects of heat dilation to which the materials of the induction plates are subjected
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7~10
AI summary
Cooking device that comprises a support plane (11) comprising an upper surface (12), a lower surface (14) and an induction hob (34) that includes an induction plate (36). The upper surface (12) is flat and the lower surface (14) comprises an aperture (23) connected to an induction plate seating (24) blind at the top and made in the thickness (S) of the support plane (11) between its upper surface (12) and the lower surface (14) to which an induction plate (36) is associated.