Multilayer Diffuser Bottom for Cooking Device Heating Homogeneity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking devices require substantial thickness and mass to achieve satisfactory heating homogeneity and prevent hot spots, leading to potential food burning.

Innovation Solution

A cooking device with a multilayer diffuser bottom comprising an aluminum layer metallurgically assembled with a heating face and an anisotropic graphite layer encapsulated between two aluminum layers, promoting transverse thermal diffusion and minimizing hot spots without increasing mass or thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a thick layer of aluminum is used to achieve satisfactory temperature homogeneity and avoid hot spots, then heating homogeneity is improved, but the mass and thickness of the cooking device increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature homogeneityVSAvoidmass of cooking device

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining aluminum layers with an anisotropic graphite layer to create a multilayer diffuser bottom. The graphite layer has superior thermal conductivity properties that enable effective heat distribution with reduced overall thickness and mass compared to using thick aluminum alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the thermal conductivity parameter by introducing anisotropic graphite, which has direction-dependent thermal properties. This allows optimized heat flow characteristics that achieve better temperature homogeneity with thinner overall structure, resolving the contradiction between thickness and thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a thick layer of aluminum is used to avoid hot spots likely to cause food burning, then temperature control is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the diffuser bottom into multiple functional layers: aluminum layers for thermal conduction and an anisotropic graphite layer for enhanced heat distribution. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining manageable manufacturing processes for each individual layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By using composite materials with distinct functional properties, the patent achieves superior temperature control through the synergistic effect of aluminum and graphite layers, while the modular composite structure facilitates standardized manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Weight of stationary object

If the mass and thickness of the cooking device are reduced, then ease of handling is improved, but heating homogeneity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemass of cooking deviceVSAvoidheating homogeneity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials comprising aluminum and anisotropic graphite in a multilayer configuration. This composite structure provides high thermal conductivity and superior heat distribution properties that maintain excellent heating homogeneity even when the overall mass and thickness are reduced compared to solid aluminum constructions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes thermal parameters by introducing anisotropic graphite with direction-dependent thermal conductivity, allowing the design to achieve enhanced heat distribution efficiency. This parameter optimization enables reduced mass and thickness while maintaining or improving heating homogeneity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Improves heating homogeneity and controls maximum temperature, reducing the likelihood of hot spots and food burning while maintaining a reduced device thickness.

Implementation Method 1

due to the fact that the aluminum layer is metallurgically assembled with the heating face leaving a portion of the heating face free around the aluminum layer, the aluminum layer and the anisotropic graphite layer being part of a multilayer diffuser bottom... This arrangement promotes good thermal diffusion transversely to the heating face

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal diffusion: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

an aluminum layer being metallurgically assembled with the heating face, the good thermal conductivity of the aluminum allows the heat transmitted by the heat source to be dispersed in the diffuser bottom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12364359B2Cooking device comprising a multi-layer diffuser base

Publication Date: 2025.07.22 SEB SA

AI summary

A cooking device includes a cooking support having a cooking face and a heating face, an aluminum layer being metallurgically assembled with the heating face, an anisotropic graphite layer being encapsulated between the aluminum layer and another aluminum layer.The aluminum layer may be metallurgically assembled with the heating face leaving a portion of the heating face free around the aluminum layer, the aluminum layer and the anisotropic graphite layer being part of a multilayer diffuser bottom.