Enamel composition, method for preparing enamel composition, and cooking appliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing enamel compositions require high temperatures and long durations for cleaning, which reduces their durability and consumes significant energy, and struggle to effectively remove contaminants like fat from cooking appliances.

Innovation Solution

An enamel composition optimized with 30-45 wt% phosphorus pentoxide, 5-20 wt% silicon dioxide, 15-30 wt% aluminum oxide, 10-20 wt% zirconium dioxide, 5-20 wt% alkali metal oxide, 5-15 wt% boron trioxide, and 10-25 wt% vanadium pentoxide, along with optional titanium dioxide, stannous oxide, and zinc oxide, which is formulated to be cleaned at lower temperatures and shorter times, enhancing acid resistance and cleaning efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If enamel composition is cleaned at high temperature for long duration, then contaminants are effectively removed, but enamel durability decreases and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidenamel durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the enamel by incorporating specific metal oxides (Fe2O3 at 2-5 wt%, CuO at 1-3 wt%, MnO2 at 1-3 wt%) that modify the thermal decomposition characteristics. These compositional changes enable the enamel to facilitate contaminant removal at lower temperatures (300-400°C) and shorter durations, thereby improving cleaning efficiency while preserving enamel durability and reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite enamel material by combining traditional enamel components (CaO, SiO2, Al2O3) with specific metal oxides (Fe2O3, CuO, MnO2). This composite structure leverages the catalytic properties of the metal oxides to enhance cleaning performance at reduced temperatures, resolving the contradiction between effective contaminant removal and enamel durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If enamel composition is cleaned at high temperature for long duration, then contaminants are effectively removed, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the thermal decomposition parameters of the enamel by incorporating metal oxides that lower the decomposition temperature. This enables effective cleaning at 300-400°C instead of higher temperatures, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining cleaning efficiency for removing contaminants such as fat.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional high-temperature thermal decomposition mechanism with a catalytic decomposition mechanism facilitated by metal oxides. This substitution allows contaminant removal at lower temperatures through chemical catalysis, thereby reducing the energy input required for the cleaning process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If vanadium pentoxide content is maximized, then cleaning efficiency improves, but acid resistance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidacid resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite oxide system combining Fe2O3, CuO, MnO2, and other metal oxides in specific proportions. This composite approach achieves effective cleaning performance through synergistic catalytic effects while maintaining acid resistance, avoiding the need to maximize a single oxide like V2O5 which would compromise durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the compositional parameters by limiting V2O5 content to 2-5 wt% and incorporating alternative metal oxides (Fe2O3 at 2-5 wt%, CuO at 1-3 wt%, MnO2 at 1-3 wt%). This compositional adjustment maintains cleaning efficiency through multiple catalytic components while preserving the enamel's acid resistance and overall durability.

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

The optimized enamel composition allows for efficient removal of contaminants at reduced temperatures and times, improving hygiene and reducing energy consumption while maintaining durability and acid resistance.

Implementation Method 1

a process of pyrolysis (thermal decomposition) may be used to burn contaminants into ashes at high temperatures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPyrolysis: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

the enamel composition may include 10 to 25 wt% of vanadium pentoxide (V2O5)... When V2O5 content in an enamel composition increases, acid resistance of the enamel may decreases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP3763685B1Enamel composition, method for preparing enamel composition, and cooking appliance
Publication Date: 2022.02.02 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3763685B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3763685B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A cooking appliance includes a chamber surface that defines a cavity including a cooking chamber, a door that is configured to open and close the cavity and has a door surface configured to face the cavity, a heat source configured to supply heat to the cavity, and a coating layer disposed on the chamber surface or the door surface. The coating layer includes an enamel composition of materials including 30 to 45 wt% of phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5), 5 to 20 wt% of silicon dioxide (SiO2), 15 to 30 wt% of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), 10 to 20 wt% of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), 5 to 20 wt% of at least one of lithium oxide (Li2O), sodium oxide (Na2O), or potassium oxide (K2O),5 to 15 wt% of boron trioxide (B2O3), and 10 to 25 wt% of vanadium pentoxide (V2O5).