Method for manufacturing a component, component and gas hob

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas hob components made of aluminum are prone to wear and corrosion during cleaning due to their lack of adequate abrasion and chemical resistance, necessitating improved manufacturing methods to enhance durability and aesthetic appeal.

Innovation Solution

A plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) treatment is applied to the surface of aluminum alloy components, involving polishing with abrasive particles and immersion in an electrolyte solution under controlled voltage, resulting in a thick, hard ceramic oxide coating with high hardness and elasticity, enhancing wear and corrosion resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If aluminum components are used for gas hobs, then lightweight and cost-effective parts are achieved, but abrasion and corrosion resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent weightVSAvoidabrasion and corrosion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies plasma electrolytic oxidation to create a composite structure consisting of the aluminum base material and a ceramic oxide coating layer. This composite structure combines the advantages of aluminum (lightweight, cost-effective) with the advantages of ceramic oxides (high hardness, excellent abrasion and corrosion resistance), thereby resolving the contradiction between weight and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses plasma electrolytic oxidation, which involves accelerated oxidation through electrochemical reactions in a plasma environment. This process forms a thick, dense ceramic oxide coating on the aluminum surface, significantly improving abrasion and corrosion resistance while maintaining the lightweight properties of the aluminum substrate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional surface treatment is applied to aluminum, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but hardness and wear resistance improve insufficiently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsurface hardness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs plasma electrolytic oxidation, which uses strong oxidizing conditions through electrochemical reactions in a plasma environment. This process efficiently forms a thick, hard ceramic oxide coating on aluminum components, achieving Vickers hardness of over 1000 HV while maintaining manufacturing simplicity as the process can be directly applied to complex component geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

3Reliability

If thick oxide coating is formed by PEO, then abrasion resistance is improved, but surface flexibility may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrasion resistanceVSAvoidsurface flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary polishing of the aluminum surface before applying plasma electrolytic oxidation. This preliminary action creates a uniformly roughened surface that improves coating adhesion and ensures uniform coating thickness, allowing the formation of a thick protective layer without compromising the flexibility of the underlying aluminum substrate. The roughened surface provides mechanical interlocking that prevents coating delamination while maintaining substrate flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 PEO-treated components exhibit a Vickers hardness of over 1000 HV, providing improved cleanability, abrasion resistance, and aesthetic options like colors or finishes, while maintaining flexibility under shear stress, thus extending component lifespan and reducing maintenance needs.

Implementation Method 1

treating a surface (16) by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma electrolytic oxidation: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 2

a oxide film is formed at a thickness of ≥5 μm to ≤50 μm on the surface of the magnesium base material by anodic oxidation treatment or plasma electrolytic oxidation treatment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAnodic oxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 3

the surface is pretreated by polishing with abrasive particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP3997386B1Method for manufacturing a component, component and gas hob
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3997386B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3997386B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method for manufacturing a component (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) for a gas hob (1), the method comprising treating a surface (16) by plasma electrolytic oxidation.