Pan Support Alignment on Heat Shield for Gas Hob Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing single pan supports on gas hobs often misalign with the burner, leading to inefficient heating of cooking containers and potential damage to the hob plate due to radiated heat.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of alignment elements, such as centering pins on the heat shield and corresponding recesses on the pan support, ensures correct positioning, along with foot elements like rubber knobs for safe placement and reduced heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the pan support is placed loosely on the hob plate, then the ease of operation is improved, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates causing misalignment with the gas burner

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of placementVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a heat shield as an intermediary component between the hob plate and the pan support. The heat shield features alignment elements (such as protrusions or recesses) that guide and secure the pan support in the correct position relative to the gas burner, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy while preserving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If alignment elements are added to ensure correct positioning, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies alignment elements only at specific critical locations on the heat shield and pan support, rather than throughout the entire structure. This localized approach ensures precise positioning while minimizing the addition of components and maintaining simplicity in the overall device design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the pan support is misaligned with the gas burner, then the ease of operation is maintained, but harmful thermal radiation to the hob plate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of placementVSAvoidthermal radiation damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heat shield serves as a protective intermediary between the gas burner and the hob plate. By ensuring proper alignment through its alignment elements, the heat shield effectively blocks harmful thermal radiation from reaching the hob plate, while still allowing the pan support to be easily placed and positioned.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Prevents misalignment, ensures optimal heating of cooking containers, and reduces heat transfer to the hob plate, thereby preventing damage and enhancing thermal insulation.

Implementation Method 1

an approximately disc-shaped heat shield (3) for thermally shielding the hob plate (2) in the area of ​​a gas burner (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

foot elements like rubber knobs for safe placement and reduced heat transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP1770336B1Arrangement of pot support
Publication Date: 2018.12.26 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP1770336B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1770336B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An arrangement of a single pan support (1) on a hob plate (2) on an approximately disk-shaped heat shield (3) for thermally shielding the hob plate (2) in the area of ​​a gas burner is proposed. According to the invention, corresponding alignment elements can be provided on predetermined areas of the individual pot support (1) and the heat shield (3) for arranging the individual pot support (1) in the correct position on the heat shield (3).