Physically non-stick structure and cooking utensil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking utensils with polytetrafluoroethylene non-stick coatings face safety risks due to decomposition at high temperatures, lack wear-resistance, and are prone to flaking off, which can lead to food contamination.
Innovation Solution
A physically non-stick structure featuring a concave and convex morphology on a metal substrate coated with a physical vapor deposition layer, which enhances wear-resistance and non-stick performance by directly integrating the concave and convex structures with the substrate, reducing the risk of flaking and improving bonding strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a layer of polytetrafluoroethylene is coated on the cooking utensil surface to achieve non-stick performance, then the non-stick performance is improved, but the coating is not wear-resistant and prone to flaking off
Solution Approach 1:
The surface is segmented into concave and convex structures, creating a micro-rough topology that mechanically interlocks with food particles and oils, preventing sticking without requiring a separate coating layer. The concave regions trap contaminants while convex regions provide structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical coating system (polytetrafluoroethylene) is replaced with a physical structural system (concave-convex morphology). The non-stick effect is achieved through geometric configuration rather than chemical properties, eliminating wear and flaking issues inherent in coated systems.
2Productivity
If the heating temperature exceeds 260° C. for general cooking, then cooking efficiency is improved, but the polytetrafluoroethylene coating begins to volatilize and decompose, creating safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the temperature-sensitive polytetrafluoroethylene coating with a temperature-resistant physical structure. The concave-convex surface morphology remains stable at high temperatures, allowing unlimited thermal reuse without degradation, unlike the limited-life coated surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The fundamental parameter of surface treatment changes from chemical coating (temperature-sensitive) to physical morphology (temperature-resistant). This parameter shift enables the surface to withstand high cooking temperatures without decomposition or volatilization.
3Strength
If a physical vapor deposition layer is added to provide wear-resistance, then the wear-resistance is improved, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-stick function and wear-resistance function are merged into a single integrated structure. The concave-convex surface morphology simultaneously provides both non-stick properties through its geometry and wear-resistance through its mechanical interlocking capability, eliminating the need for separate functional layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical vapor deposition layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides wear-resistance, maintains the concave-convex morphology, and preserves non-stick properties. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized layers or treatments.
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 provides a durable, non-stick surface that reduces the risk of food sticking and flaking, enhancing cooking safety and convenience while maintaining wear-resistance and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
at least a part of a surface of the concave structure and/or at least a part of a surface of the convex structure are/is provided with a physical vapor deposition layer
Implementation Method 2
the concave structure and the convex structure can constitute a hydrophobic structure on the surface of the metal substrate
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a physically non-stick structure and a cooking utensil applied on a surface of a metal substrate, the physically non-stick structure includes a concave structure and a convex structure on at least a part of an area of the concave structure, at least a part of a surface of the concave structure and/or at least a part of a surface of the convex structure are provided with a physical vapor deposition layer, and a morphology of a surface of the physical vapor deposition layer is similar to a morphology of the surface of the concave structure and/or the surface of the convex structure covered by the physical vapor deposition layer.