Reversible Pan Support Geometry for Flat and Convex Pans
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pan support arrangements for gas burners fail to maintain a consistent distance between cooking vessels with convex or flat bottoms and the burner, leading to inefficient combustion and potential vessel instability, requiring separate supports for each type of vessel.
Innovation Solution
A reversible pan support with adjustable spacers that can be rotated 180° to accommodate both convex and flat-based vessels, utilizing engagement elements and recesses to change the support distance, eliminating the need for additional parts and ensuring secure vessel placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pan support height is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different pan types (flat bottom vs convex bottom) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pan support is designed to be rotatable between two fixed positions (first position for convex-bottom pans, second position for flat-bottom pans). This dynamic adjustment allows a single support structure to adapt to different pan types without requiring multiple separate supports or additional attachment elements, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
A single pan support structure serves multiple functions by accommodating both convex-bottom and flat-bottom pans through rotation. The support maintains two different heights relative to the burner at different positions, eliminating the need for separate support elements for each pan type and reducing overall device complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pan support distance is reduced for convex-bottom pans, then the adaptability improves, but the gas burner efficiency deteriorates due to insufficient distance maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The pan support rotates to a first position when accommodating convex-bottom pans, maintaining an optimal distance between the pan bottom and burner. This dynamic positioning ensures that even with the convex shape, the required distance is preserved for efficient combustion, preventing energy loss while still supporting the pan type
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the vertical parameter (distance from burner) by rotating the support to different positions. For convex-bottom pans, the support rotates to a position that maintains sufficient distance, ensuring proper combustion efficiency while still accommodating the pan's shape
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional attachment elements are added to achieve different support heights, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding static attachment elements, the solution employs a dynamic rotatable support that achieves different heights through rotation. This eliminates the need for multiple attachment elements while maintaining the ability to support both convex and flat bottom pans, reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A single rotatable support structure performs the function of multiple separate supports or attachment elements. By rotating to different positions, it provides the necessary height variations for different pan types without requiring additional components, simplifying the overall device
Data Source
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AI summary
Pot/pan support (1) for a gas burner (2) having at least three spacer elements (3 to 6) which are set up to lie on a standing surface (13) for the pot/pan support (1), wherein a respective spacer element (3 to 6) has an engagement section (18) which in set up to engage into a corresponding recess (26 to 29) in the standing surface (13) for the pot/pan support (1), wherein, in a first position of the pot/pan support (1), in which first position the engagement section (18) is out of engagement with the recess (26 to 29), a cooked product container support surface (8, 20) is arranged at a first spacing (a2) from the standing surface (13) for the pot/pan support (1), wherein, in a second position of the pot/pan support (1), in which second position the engagement section (18) is in engagement with the recess (26 to 29), the cooked product container support surface (8, 20) is arranged at a second spacing (a3) from the standing surface (13) for the pot/pan support (1), and wherein the first spacing (a2) differs from the second spacing (a3).