Radiant Heater Support Member for Drop-Test Fracture Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiant electric heaters with temperature-responsive devices suffer from mechanical and vibration failures during transportation and operation, particularly due to the elongate rod-like component's susceptibility to fracture under inertial forces during drop tests and shock loading, which can cause damage to the heater and the glass-ceramic cooking surface.
Innovation Solution
A supporting member with a central hoop and angled foot is securely mounted within the dish-like support, allowing limited movement of the rod-like component to prevent damage, while being simple and economical to manufacture and install, using corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the elongate rod-like component is secured in cantilevered manner without support, then the temperature-responsive device can function properly, but the free end deflects excessively during drop tests and shock loading, causing fracture or damage to the cooking surface
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is pre-installed at the free end of the rod-like component before the drop test occurs, providing advance structural reinforcement. The foot of the supporting member extends through an opening in the base to provide preliminary support that prevents excessive deflection during subsequent shock loading or drop tests.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting member acts as a cushioning element that absorbs and distributes the shock forces before they can cause damage. By positioning the supporting member at the free end of the rod-like component, the design provides beforehand protection against the inertial forces generated during drop tests or when heavy pans are placed on the cooking surface.
2Ease of manufacture
If a supporting member is mounted solely in the thermal insulation material, then installation is simple, but the supporting member is unreliable and can break loose during sudden impact
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member combines multiple retention mechanisms: the foot extends through an opening in the base and is retained by the surrounding base structure, while the central portion with hoop is positioned within the insulation material. This merging of mechanical anchoring (through the base opening) with material embedding (in insulation) provides both simplicity of installation and high reliability during impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening in the base acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the supporting member and the base itself. The foot of the supporting member extends through this opening, creating a secure mechanical connection that prevents the supporting member from breaking loose during sudden impact, while still allowing for relatively simple installation.
3Strength
If the supporting member is positioned between the insulation material and the cooking surface, then it provides support, but it stresses the cooking surface and potentially causes fracture during drop tests
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is extracted from the configuration that directly contacts the cooking surface. Instead of positioning the supporting member between the insulation and cooking surface, the design extends the foot through an opening in the base, allowing the supporting member to be retained by the base structure rather than stressing the glass-ceramic cooking surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The base of the heater acts as an intermediary structure that absorbs and distributes the stresses. By routing the foot of the supporting member through an opening in the base, the mechanical loads are transferred to the base structure rather than being directly applied to the cooking surface, preventing stress concentration that could cause glass-ceramic fracture.
4Area of stationary object
If the rod-like component is made elongate to extend across the heater, then temperature monitoring coverage is improved, but the component becomes more susceptible to fracture under inertial forces during transportation and operation
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is pre-installed at the free end of the elongate rod-like component to provide advance structural reinforcement. This preliminary support allows the rod-like component to maintain its elongate configuration for comprehensive temperature monitoring coverage while being protected against fracture during transportation and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting member provides beforehand cushioning at the vulnerable free end of the elongate rod-like component. This cushioning effect absorbs the inertial forces during drop tests or shock loading, allowing the component to extend across the heater for improved temperature monitoring coverage without being overly susceptible to fracture.
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 effectively resists sudden loads, preventing damage to the heater and cooking surface during mechanical shocks and drops, while being cost-effective and easy to implement, with minimal design modifications required.
Implementation Method 1
a base of the dish-like support is provided with a loop of material extending internally of the dish-like support so as to provide an opening between the base of the dish-like support and the loop, the foot of the supporting member being received through the opening
Implementation Method 2
the supporting member comprises a central portion with a hoop at a first end to receive the free end of the rod-like component and a foot at a second end
Implementation Method 3
the foot being bent at an angle relative to the central portion... effectively resists sudden loads, preventing damage to the heater and cooking surface during mechanical shocks and drops
Data Source
AI summary
A radiant electric heater having a dish-like support having a base layer of thermal insulation material. At least one heating element is supported relative to the base layer. A temperature-responsive device having a rod-like component is secured at one end at a peripheral region of the dish-like support and extends without support partly across the heater over the at least one heating element. A supporting member is provided at a free end region of the rod-like component. The supporting member comprises a central portion with a hoop at a first end to receive the free end of the rod-like component and a foot at a second end, the foot being bent at an angle relative to the central portion. A base of the dish-like support is provided with a loop of material extending internally of the dish-like support so as to provide an opening between the base of the dish-like support and the loop, the foot of the supporting member being received through the opening.