Single-Frit Enamel Coating for Easy-Clean Cooking Appliances

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cooking appliances face challenges in cleaning and durability due to food residue and high temperatures, requiring an enamel composition that enhances heat resistance, chemical resistance, and pollution resistance.

Innovation Solution

A cooking appliance with a coating layer formed by a single glass frit enamel composition, including P2O5, SiO2, Al2O3, ZrO2, and R2O, which improves heat resistance, chemical resistance, and pollution resistance, facilitating easy cleaning and long-term durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple glass frits are mixed to produce enamel composition, then various properties (heat resistance, chemical resistance, wear resistance, pollution resistance) can be achieved, but the mixing process becomes complex and uneven mixing occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenamel performance (heat resistance, chemical resistance, wear resistance, pollution resistance)VSAvoidproduction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple glass frit components (containing SiO2, B2O3, Al2O3, P2O5, and other oxides) into a single integrated glass frit formulation. This merging approach maintains all necessary functional properties (heat resistance, chemical resistance, wear resistance, and pollution resistance) while eliminating the complexity of mixing separate frits, ensuring uniform composition and consistent enamel performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite glass frit material that integrates multiple functional oxides (SiO2 as network former, B2O3 for chemical resistance, Al2O3 for mechanical strength, P2O5 for pollution resistance) into a single homogeneous composition. This composite approach achieves the cumulative benefits of multiple materials while avoiding the mixing problems associated with separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If multiple glass frits are used to produce enamel composition, then comprehensive resistance properties can be achieved, but energy costs for production increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenamel durability and resistance propertiesVSAvoidproduction energy cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple glass frit production and mixing operations into a single frit formulation process. This merging eliminates the need for separate production lines and mixing equipment for multiple frits, thereby reducing the energy consumption associated with heating, melting, and processing multiple separate glass compositions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single glass frit composition is designed to provide multiple functions simultaneously (heat resistance, chemical resistance, wear resistance, and pollution resistance), making it a universal material that replaces multiple specialized frits. This multi-functionality reduces the overall production complexity and energy requirements compared to producing and applying multiple different frit formulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If enamel is designed for high temperature cooking, then heat resistance is improved, but the enamel becomes more susceptible to chemical degradation from organic materials and alkali components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat resistanceVSAvoidchemical resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite glass frit containing SiO2 (providing heat resistance and structural stability), B2O3 (enhancing chemical resistance to alkalis and organics), Al2O3 (improving mechanical strength and chemical inertness), and P2O5 (adding pollution resistance). This composite formulation achieves a balance where high-temperature stability and chemical resistance are simultaneously optimized through the synergistic effects of multiple oxides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the glass frit by incorporating specific ratios of oxide components. By adjusting the concentrations of B2O3, P2O5, and other modifiers in the frit formulation, the enamel achieves optimal chemical resistance while maintaining heat resistance, effectively decoupling these two properties through compositional tuning.

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 enamel composition provides excellent heat resistance, chemical resistance, and pollution resistance, enabling easy cleaning at room temperature and withstanding high temperatures, reducing production costs and simplifying the production process by using a single frit, while ensuring even mixing and improved durability.

Implementation Method 1

the enamel composition has excellent heat resistance to better withstand a high temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat resistance:

Implementation Method 2

the enamel composition has excellent chemical resistance not to be modified by organic materials and alkali-based chemical components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical resistance:

Implementation Method 3

the enamel composition has excellent pollution resistance to facilitate the cleaning of the cooking appliance after cooking

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPollution resistance:

Data Source

PatentEP2470482B2Cooking appliance
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2470482B2 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2470482B2 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention includes a cooking appliance with an enamel composition. The enamel composition includes a heat resistance, chemical resistance, wear resistance, and pollution resistance, such that the cooking appliance withstands high temperature, acid or alkali and is readily cleaned.